What/How Did You Practice Today?

[chisag]

33 minutes ago, Shankster said:

Yeah.  I know they should all be roughly the same height, but these just looked better than normal.  High for my standards and I’m a high ball flight guy. C-Tapers can’t bring me down.  But I get knock-down… (poor attempt at a song reference).

 

... Sorry Shanks my comment wasn't really meant for you, just an over all knowledge because many don't realize it. You hitting your long irons so well just reminded me to post that chart. 

[Shankster]

3 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... Sorry Shanks my comment wasn't really meant for you, just an over all knowledge because many don't realize it. You hitting your long irons so well just reminded me to post that chart. 

All good Sir.  Didn’t take it as a dig.  Also, I agree, I imagine that the short open faced swipe often gets thought of as too high. I’ve heard plenty say they hit it too high, when in reality it is low weak and right.  I played 2 summers ago with a guy that told me I hit it too high, as I’m sticking greens…  I just laughed, and kept hitting bombs.  

[cnosil]

1 hour ago, chisag said:

 

53 minutes ago, Shankster said:

Yeah.  I know they should all be roughly the same height, but these just looked better than normal.  High for my standards and I’m a high ball flight guy. C-Tapers can’t bring me down.  But I get knock-down… (poor attempt at a song reference).

 

When looking at that chart it matches up with what TXG Ian said in one of their videos; unless you are a super high swing speed player, peak height for Driver should be roughly 6 iron swing speed.    In the diagram 6 iron 92 and 96 with driver; carrying that farther and as chisag said,  peak height is pretty consistent across all clubs.  Few players play the ball too high;  although they may think they do.  

[Shankster]

2 minutes ago, cnosil said:

 

 

When looking at that chart it matches up with what TXG Ian said in one of their videos; unless you are a super high swing speed player, peak height for Driver should be roughly 6 iron swing speed.    In the diagram 92 and 96 with driver; carrying that farther and as chisag said,  peak height is pretty consistent across all clubs.  Few players play the ball too high;  although they may thing they do.  

I need to get on a launch monitor.  I’m pretty sure I am over 96’.  But I’ve been known to be wrong in the past.  I don’t have any trouble stopping the ball, that is for sure.

[bens197]

Took a friend out today to the range and helped him with his swing. 
 

He’s a casual golfer that just recently got fit with new irons and woods and he’s fascinated by how much of a difference it made. It’s true, watching him hit balls is a pleasure while he isn’t fighting the ball. 
 

What did he need to fix?  Tempo. 
 

When he realized he had to sync his body and it worked best when he’d pause a second and then time his downswing. 
 

As for me. Driver was an abomination. The g400 is back in the bag. 

[cksurfdude]

1 hour ago, cnosil said:

Few players play the ball too high;  although they may think they do.  

If anyone gets a chance to attend a PGA Tour event, one of the first things .. previously unknown to me .. that really struck me was just how freaking HIGH they launch the ball on their tee shots, and on most of their approach shots (special circumstances aside). Impressive!

[Golfspy_CG2]

On 6/6/2022 at 5:38 PM, cksurfdude said:

If anyone gets a chance to attend a PGA Tour event, one of the first things .. previously unknown to me .. that really struck me was just how freaking HIGH they launch the ball on their tee shots, and on most of their approach shots (special circumstances aside). Impressive!

I’ve been telling people this for years, and it makes me chuckle a bit when I see people post or start a thread that they hit the ball too high.   
My response is usually, no you don’t.  

[Kenny B]

2 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

I’ve been telling people this for years, and it makes me chuckle a bit when I see people post or start a thread that they hit the ball too high.   
My response is usually, no you don’t.  

I hit the ball too high... when I have a headwind.  

[HeathS16]

2 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

I’ve been telling people this for years, and it makes me chuckle a bit when I see people post or start a thread that they hit the ball too high.   
My response is usually, no you don’t.  

Went to my first Pro event at the PGA at Southern Hills.  This was the thing that stuck with me is how freaking high they launch it.  With ANY club.  I was mesmerized. 

[chisag]

2 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

’ve been telling people this for years, and it makes me chuckle a bit when I see people post or start a thread that they hit the ball too high.

 

... Such big difference between a weak high over spinning slice and a solidly hit ball that just soars with a decent descent angle. I will never forget joining a mini tour guy in Orlando on the 2nd hole after he teed off from the tips and me 2 tee boxes in when we were 225 out with trees guarding the green so I laid up with a hybrid just past the trees leaving a straight pitch to the pin. This kid hit a 4 iron that was just insanely high looking like a wedge coming off his club head but climbing and carrying all the way to the back fringe. I was in awe. 

[cnosil]

8 hours ago, chisag said:

 

... Such big difference between a weak high over spinning slice and a solidly hit ball that just soars with a decent descent angle. I will never forget joining a mini tour guy in Orlando on the 2nd hole after he teed off from the tips and me 2 tee boxes in when we were 225 out with trees guarding the green so I laid up with a hybrid just past the trees leaving a straight pitch to the pin. This kid hit a 4 iron that was just insanely high looking like a wedge coming off his club head but climbing and carrying all the way to the back fringe. I was in awe. 

I have volunteered for many years at the LPGA event and even they hit the ball pretty high so it is t just high swing speed men.  There are of course exceptions; I was surprised how low Carlota Ciganda hits the ball; when I first saw her playing I thought she was hitting a knockdown type shot and then all her shots were like that.  I would also guess players from regions with more wind probably hit lower trajectory shots.   
 

For older amateur players I’d say spin is probably their friend, not the side spin but backspin to help get a higher flying longer ball.  I was at at the test that MGS did with the Tless driver; which is designed to provide higher flight and more spin, and the lower speed players were getting significantly more distance. 
 

have to experiment and see what works best for your specific game but I would still stand by the statement that most amateurs don’t hit it high enough.

[bens197]

29 minutes ago, cnosil said:

I have volunteered for many years at the LPGA event and even they hit the ball pretty high so it is t just high swing speed men.  There are of course exceptions; I was surprised how low Carlota Ciganda hits the ball; when I first saw her playing I thought she was hitting a knockdown type shot and then all her shots were like that.  I would also guess players from regions with more wind probably hit lower trajectory shots.   
 

For older amateur players I’d say spin is probably their friend, not the side spin but backspin to help get a higher flying longer ball.  I was at at the test that MGS did with the Tless driver; which is designed to provide higher flight and more spin, and the lower speed players were getting significantly more distance. 
 

have to experiment and see what works best for your specific game but I would still stand by the statement that most amateurs don’t hit it high enough.

You're right.  

I used to illustrate with golfers when teaching that height is your friend.  Now before anyone chimes in and says nOt ToO mUcH hEiGhT! I have to say there is a relevant optimal window based upon ball speed and spin.  

I would grab a garden hose and use the stream to illustrate how the higher it goes (to an extent) the further it reaches.  The same can be said for ball speed and psi of the water flowing from the hose...amusingly enough as a Fire Officer on an Engine, finding optimal flows between pump and discharge pressures to reach desired gallons per minute is incredibly relatable.

Back to the point.

At a certain water pressure from the hose, (ball speed) each golfer should seek the highest trajectory possible that meets their game.

[Golfspy_CG2]

9 hours ago, chisag said:

 

... Such big difference between a weak high over spinning slice and a solidly hit ball that just soars with a decent descent angle. I will never forget joining a mini tour guy in Orlando on the 2nd hole after he teed off from the tips and me 2 tee boxes in when we were 225 out with trees guarding the green so I laid up with a hybrid just past the trees leaving a straight pitch to the pin. This kid hit a 4 iron that was just insanely high looking like a wedge coming off his club head but climbing and carrying all the way to the back fringe. I was in awe. 

That is the perfect definition of the phrase, "They play a game of which I'm not famaliar" 

36 minutes ago, bens197 said:

You're right.  

I used to illustrate with golfers when teaching that height is your friend.  Now before anyone chimes in and says nOt ToO mUcH hEiGhT! I have to say there is a relevant optimal window based upon ball speed and spin.  

I would grab a garden hose and use the stream to illustrate how the higher it goes (to an extent) the further it reaches.  The same can be said for ball speed and psi of the water flowing from the hose...amusingly enough as a Fire Officer on an Engine, finding optimal flows between pump and discharge pressures to reach desired gallons per minute is incredibly relatable.

Back to the point.

At a certain water pressure from the hose, (ball speed) each golfer should seek the highest trajectory possible that meets their game.

Such a great demonstration with the fire hose, I have seen that before, not with a fire hose, but with a garden hose. 

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

1 hour ago, bens197 said:

You're right.  

I used to illustrate with golfers when teaching that height is your friend.  Now before anyone chimes in and says nOt ToO mUcH hEiGhT! I have to say there is a relevant optimal window based upon ball speed and spin.  

I would grab a garden hose and use the stream to illustrate how the higher it goes (to an extent) the further it reaches.  The same can be said for ball speed and psi of the water flowing from the hose...amusingly enough as a Fire Officer on an Engine, finding optimal flows between pump and discharge pressures to reach desired gallons per minute is incredibly relatable.

Back to the point.

At a certain water pressure from the hose, (ball speed) each golfer should seek the highest trajectory possible that meets their game.

This analogy 100% resonates with me

[chisag]

4 hours ago, cnosil said:

I would still stand by the statement that most amateurs don’t hit it high enough.

 

... I have been saying this for over 30 years. My reference to "a weak high over spinning slice" is players that think they hit it too high when they just need to hit it straighter. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

5 hours ago, cnosil said:

I would also guess players from regions with more wind probably hit lower trajectory shots.   

Correct. Professional level look at Fleetwood and his swing, built for playin in the winds in Europe. Look at most Texas golfers especially the older ones like Trevino that play the ball lower.

5 hours ago, cnosil said:

game but I would still stand by the statement that most amateurs don’t hit it high enough.

Agree. Standing on the range I see so many balls that rarely get higher than the top of the trees at the back of the range and that aren’t 100’ tall

[azstu324]

On 5/3/2022 at 6:52 AM, bens197 said:

My morning walks have become an opportunity to get some practice while the dude gets his smells in for the day.  I'm focused on keeping my wrist angle through impact.  My fatal flaw is that on the downswing at transition, my right hand takes over and causes me to flip.  I've noticed it for years and could not find a way to communicate that motion into words.  Now I think I have it.  

The feel I am trying to create begins with shorter clubs and I want the feeling of the back of my left wrist to be pointing at the ball and moving towards my left hip into and through impact.  That's the language I've created for myself.  Before you know it, I may end up looking like Alex Noren out there but whatever it takes to get that engrained into an old dog...

The Dude abides

[Syks7]

Tried out a digital range today and while it's pricey $30 for 90 minutes (as many balls as you can hit) it's going to definitely be a once a month when I'm working on things.  It uses RangeX which is a Korean launch monitor system.  I have to say the designers did an awesome job with it.  Giant touch screen interface that was instantly useable and intuitive. 

Practice wise it was fairly reasonable.  I'm still a little out to in path wise but mostly without the OTT tendencies.  When I come over the top it has just turned into a straight pull.  As usual for me tempo is the key.  Get to fast or two slow and things get wonky (including the dreaded S word).  I hit enough with each club to get a good idea of distance based on quality of strike and it's nice to see instantaneous data when you make an adjustment.  Overall pretty solid day. 

 

 

[JerryB]

Got in a quick range session today working on alignment again.  When I'm aiming right and my tempo is on, good things are happening.  Next step is a better pre shot routine.  Got a couple tips from the fitter working at the course today; hoping some of that will transfer too.

[cksurfdude]

On 6/9/2022 at 5:23 PM, Syks7 said:

It uses RangeX ...

Wow if you need to get *both* ball and club data .. plus video feedback!?! .. $30 for 90 minutes seems like a pretty good deal!

[cksurfdude]

Short game for me - some putting, some chipping and pitching, then some more putting.

Digging for the proverbial silver lining... my latest injury has me focusing on, and working harder on, stabilizing the lower body and holding my posture better through the back swing and into impact .. when I slow down and stay steady I'm definitely making better contact.

Just used a gap wedge and changed every shot from soft, small chip up to full-ish swing .. on those still have a tendency to pull some left but holding myself steadier shows likes it's helping with that!

About an hour and a half in total - didn't seem that long, so ... I musta been having fun

[cnosil]

Worked on my short game before my round.  Things seem to be clicking with this aspect of my game the past few practice sessions.  The few holes that I pitched during my rounds I hit the ball really well.  Maybe I have this figured out and can actually have a mediocre short game and do a better job of avoiding bogey and doubles.

Time to spend a little time on putting again. 

[edingc]

Finished my Sunday chores and the wife was gone, so I figured I should get up to the range. Today marked two weeks since my last range session (due to work stuff). For someone who usually hits the practice facility 4-5 times each week it was quite the drought!

Think I was able to figure out some things, too. I had been getting a little disconnected in my backswing with my arms getting stuck behind me. I have been hitting weak fades or overdraws, both I believe results of my having to time my downswing just perfectly. 

Focused on really staying connected in my backswing and also feeling very centered in my turn. Seemed to make a big difference.

There is an AJGA qualifier tomorrow at the course so there were a couple juniors out practicing and just mashing the ball. Happy to say I was able to keep up with them for a little while at least... to be that young again. Incredible power.

Lesson Wednesday. Fingers crossed there isn't too much more for me to work on. I was really pleased with my ball flight once I got the right-arm connection figured out.

[PMookie]

Got to the range tonight determined to find my swing. I went back to the drills I’d done some years back and just couldn’t get anything to click. Nothing felt right, and my lower body was just out of control again. I have no idea how my right knee going toward the ball on the downswing ever started, but it’s a major issue. I’m lost. Not sure “which swing” to go with because I have THREE due to coaching changes over the years. Ugh. So frustrating because I was really on a roll at the end of last year.

[DrRob1963]

33 minutes ago, PMookie said:

Got to the range tonight determined to find my swing. I went back to the drills I’d done some years back and just couldn’t get anything to click. Nothing felt right, and my lower body was just out of control again. I have no idea how my right knee going toward the ball on the downswing ever started, but it’s a major issue. I’m lost. Not sure “which swing” to go with because I have THREE due to coaching changes over the years. Ugh. So frustrating because I was really on a roll at the end of last year.

I'm a higher marker than you, so I wouldn't presume to give you advice, except to say that when I have tried to fix a problem myself, and failed, I book a lesson or two with a reliable teaching pro. Good luck!

[cjeffs12]

Well after my weekends rounds, I had extra motivation to get to the range, so I battled the heat and got some work done. When I say I have never hit my irons and wedges so good in my life is a massive understatement! My misses are getting a lot smaller on the range. But lately my demon is the big stick, now my pro who is watching, swears it’s not my driver's fault. So I’m hitting some and he’s watching, and correcting, I’ve created ball position flaws to compensate for the driver. I guess without knowing I’ve moved it too far forward even in front of my lead foot, so I can get the ball up. He makes some tweaks but I just can’t get the driver up, so he goes inside the clubhouse and brings out the Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 drivers. Instantly I start start piping the ZX5 high and dead straight.  So it is a little of the driver, but I still have some things I have to work on to make my driving more consistent. Then we moved to the chipping green, I’m hitting shortish chips, which for me a year ago would be a nightmare. I’m hitting them to gimmie range mostly, and he asks, “what’s your goal?” I say to hit it close, and says you need to try to make it. He told me I need to switch my practice brain into that I’m good enough to make them, and it will transfer on the course. So I made two of about 20 balls. We regroup, same shot now my goal is 3, made 2 of the last 3 to get to 3 out of my group. Something this small was game changing for me, I’ve never stepped up even on a practice area and thought seriously about making them intentionally. Insane day, but currently got my morning coffee #1 and the heating pad on my back because it is sore. 

[PMookie]

Went back to the range again tonight and hit a large bucket. Last one there, no one around, peaceful, so good! Had a better night striking the ball, still leaving the face open a bit, and still fighting my lower body, but much better overall. Better range session than last night by far.

[MDGolfHacker]

Worked on chipping and putting yesterday.  After last week's disastrous 9 hole league round, I took a few days to clear my mind and forget what a trainwreck of round I had.  Found the chipping and putting stroke yesterday, to the point I even surprised myself.  Sure I had the odd shank sneak in, but overall I was very happy on how the practice session went.  I'm actually looking forward to my round today and not dreading what the golf gods have in store for me 

 

MDGolfHacker 

[cjeffs12]

Really grinded out on the range today. I really focused on the little things, which why are those the hardest to change? I also recorded my swings which really helped see what I was doing. I only hit a wedge and a 7 iron. I then finished with about 100 chip shots, focusing on tempo and trying to make them again. This has really shrunk my dispersion. It was a very hot Texas afternoon, but I am already seeing a huge improvement. 

[JerryB]

Range session today working solely on driver.  I was having troubles with alignment.  I would have my body aligned but the club face was severely closed, or I would have the club head aligned but my feet or shoulders were out of whack.  Once I got that straightened out and could keep my tempo in check I was able to land consistently in a narrow target area.  Used the last quarter of the bucket to try lining up slightly closer or further from the ball to see the results.