What/How did you practice today?

[cksurfdude 8,346]

On 1/1/2021 at 1:58 PM, edingc said:

with my swing, I tend to get the right arm pulled away from my body ....

Huh, I have the exact opposite problem - right (trail) elbow tucked in too tight .. my instructor has me working on extending my arms (ie. adding space between my body) going into impact.

WIP (work-in-progress)

[edingc 8,464]

1 minute ago, cksurfdude said:

Huh, I have the exact opposite problem - right (trail) elbow tucked in too tight .. my instructor has me working on extending my arms (ie. adding space between my body) going into impact.

WIP (work-in-progress)

Always is!

This is an extension of something I worked on with my instructor over the summer. His drill was for me to take half swings with a straight left arm and a glove tucked under my right arm pit.

My issue was that my right arm would get disconnected from my pivot, which would let the left arm get pulled across my chest at the top. 

[cksurfdude 8,346]

Had a good range session .. cold and wind not withstanding .. working on things from the lessons I've been taking, and wanting to see the resultant ball flight, while mostly focusing on getting into a better impact position.

I read somewhere .. earlier in this thread, maybe .. that practicing into a headwind can help players who present too much dynamic loft at impact; ie. one of my problems, especially with irons, as I get a little "picky" at the ball and "scoopy" at impact (as seen in way too much sordid detail in video replays during my lessons!).

So I tried applying a little more upper body movement target-ward plus forward shaft lean at impact. Definitely a new feeling for me but after some trial and error, I think I started to get closer to the right feel / action. The last few 7i shots felt more solid and flew on a good line (..if a bit left of my intended target, but then I neglected to put down an alignment stick, so...).

Mixed up shots between irons, wedges and a hybrid; felt like I was starting to get a sense of when movements / positions during the swing get off track and the resulting effect on ball flights .. eg. high fade or low hook.

WIP!!! 

Finished off with some putting, working on distance control uphill, downhill and side hill. Wasn't doing too badly but an occasional string gust of wind would really push the ball! I know you're supposed to play more break for the wind but a few times.... whoa! 

 

[TR1PTIK 2,897]

My backswing has gotten a touch long this past year causing various inconsistencies so I'm starting to work on getting it back in check since it's too cold out for me to play right now. Also working on weight (pressure) placement and transfer throughout the entire swing. Think I got frustrated with my game early on in 2020 and just started swinging in whatever sort of way appeared to "work" which has allowed some old habits to creep back in. Mostly, it's caused a slight loss of distance, but even worse is the return of the big right miss.

[sirchunksalot 10,268]

It's wet, cold, and dreary here today so I took some time to lay down the PuttOut mat and get a little practice in with the flat stick. Worked on ball position (a little front of center) and start line because I noticed the other day my big miss was a push. 

I putted from each distance and recorded how many tries it took to hit the "perfect putt".

1. 8 putts 2. 5 putts 3. 2 putts 4. 10 putts 5. 6 putts 6. 10 putts

Then I started back at the 6 foot mark and did it again, working my way forward.

6. 19 putts 5. 3 putts 4. 9 putts 3. 8 putts 2. 8 putts 1. 1 putt

Moving ball position forward  helped with start line, I only had 4 putts completely miss the target.

[Lacassem 10,334]

13 minutes ago, sirchunksalot said:

It's wet, cold, and dreary here today so I took some time to lay down the PuttOut mat and get a little practice in with the flat stick. Worked on ball position (a little front of center) and start line because I noticed the other day my big miss was a push. 

I putted from each distance and recorded how many tries it took to hit the "perfect putt".

1. 8 putts 2. 5 putts 3. 2 putts 4. 10 putts 5. 6 putts 6. 10 putts

Then I started back at the 6 foot mark and did it again, working my way forward.

6. 19 putts 5. 3 putts 4. 9 putts 3. 8 putts 2. 8 putts 1. 1 putt

Moving ball position forward  helped with start line, I only had 4 putts completely miss the target.

I do the same thing with this puttout really is effective. Nice work 

[sirchunksalot 10,268]

7 minutes ago, Lacassem said:

I do the same thing with this puttout really is effective. Nice work 

I like how you can discern how you're starting the ball on it. Usually out on the putting green there's no flat putts and you might assume you've misread the putt. 

[Lacassem 10,334]

15 minutes ago, sirchunksalot said:

I like how you can discern how you're starting the ball on it. Usually out on the putting green there's no flat putts and you might assume you've misread the putt. 

Yes gives you a good read on how you struck it which I like

[B.Boston 10,530]

Well the winter has got to me and I broke down and got a home simulator for practice! After I got it set up in the basement I played 9 holes. Felt really good to get some swings in.

It was on the expensive side, but the graphics are *great* and it’s pretty accurate too. Plus the kids can play other sports on it!

[Kenny B 25,306]

Raining today; no practice.

While sitting here watching golf at Kapalua Plantation course, I am coming to the realization that my biggest problem with putting might not be alignment or stroke, but green reading.  I have played the Kapalua Plantation course, and I remember that it was extremely difficult to read the break of a putt with the volcano effect along with the grain of the grass.  It was humbling.  These guys might seem perplexed at times or upset about missing a putt, but they are still making a lot of putts.

My greens are nothing like these and while I know the greens pretty well after 5 years of play, I still get fooled occasionally.  Some slopes are very obvious, but most players will under-read the break; some slopes are very subtle and I've learned where most are located,  but they still fool me with speed.  Players I play with don't see those subtle breaks at all.  I see other players completely miss the line, not because of a mishit, but because of a poor read.  Sometimes my wife will ask me which way her putt breaks (no, I don't penalize her!!).  She just doesn't see the break that's there.  

The reason I bring this up here in the Practice thread is that I'm not sure how to practice green reading.  It's certainly a skill, and I think some players are naturally better at it.  Can they be trained?  IDK.  I'm not into Aimpoint; not going there.  Any ideas for training other than just keep playing?  My wife is better at our course, but struggles along with me on a course that we are not familiar with.

[Lacassem 10,334]

4 minutes ago, Kenny B said:

Raining today; no practice.

While sitting here watching golf at Kapalua Plantation course, I am coming to the realization that my biggest problem with putting might not be alignment or stroke, but green reading.  I have played the Kapalua Plantation course, and I remember that it was extremely difficult to read the break of a putt with the volcano effect along with the grain of the grass.  It was humbling.  These guys might seem perplexed at times or upset about missing a putt, but they are still making a lot of putts.

My greens are nothing like these and while I know the greens pretty well after 5 years of play, I still get fooled occasionally.  Some slopes are very obvious, but most players will under-read the break; some slopes are very subtle and I've learned where most are located,  but they still fool me with speed.  Players I play with don't see those subtle breaks at all.  I see other players completely miss the line, not because of a mishit, but because of a poor read.  Sometimes my wife will ask me which way her putt breaks (no, I don't penalize her!!).  She just doesn't see the break that's there.  

The reason I bring this up here in the Practice thread is that I'm not sure how to practice green reading.  It's certainly a skill, and I think some players are naturally better at it.  Can they be trained?  IDK.  I'm not into Aimpoint; not going there.  Any ideas for training other than just keep playing?  My wife is better at our course, but struggles along with me on a course that we are not familiar with.

Great thought. Green reading definitely a skill. I know I learn playing. Still those greens out there look one way do another. 1 thing I have learned though is I’m always looking for the water. Where are the run offs? Even if something looks like it shouldn’t break to the water....it’s going to break to the water  

[Kenny B 25,306]

3 minutes ago, Lacassem said:

Great thought. Green reading definitely a skill. I know I learn playing. Still those greens out there look one way do another. 1 thing I have learned though is I’m always looking for the water. Where are the run offs? Even if something looks like it shouldn’t break to the water....it’s going to break to the water  

I always do that at a strange course.  It doesn't here.  I live in the Twilight Zone.  It's one of the things that took me awhile to figure out.  In the desert we don't get much rain.  I think the course architect designed our greens specifically to NOT break towards the water; those subtle breaks I mentioned affect that.  Many greens have a very slight ridge that runs through some portion of the green; difficult to see, and can keep ball from breaking towards the ponds or from the side will really affect the break.  You have to know where it is.

[B.Boston 10,530]

Great thought. Green reading definitely a skill. I know I learn playing. Still those greens out there look one way do another. 1 thing I have learned though is I’m always looking for the water. Where are the run offs? Even if something looks like it shouldn’t break to the water....it’s going to break to the water  

I also try to make sure I’m closer to the hole than my opponent... then I get to see what the ball is going to do by the hole!

It’s def a skill. I love it when you can see a guy like DJ improve and turn what was considered a weakness into a strength of his game.


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[Lacassem 10,334]

3 minutes ago, Kenny B said:

I always do that at a strange course.  It doesn't here.  I live in the Twilight Zone.  It's one of the things that took me awhile to figure out.  In the desert we don't get much rain.  I think the course architect designed our greens specifically to NOT break towards the water; those subtle breaks I mentioned affect that.  Many greens have a very slight ridge that runs through some portion of the green; difficult to see, and can keep ball from breaking towards the ponds or from the side will really affect the break.  You have to know where it is.

Wonder if it’s designed to retain water better?  I’m sure those ponds can dry up quick. There is a course called shining rock here and the 3rd hole green every angle you look you would say there is no chance in hell it breaks that way....sure as hell it does, the green looks like a bowl but it’s not.

4 minutes ago, B.Boston said:

I also try to make sure I’m closer to the hole than my opponent... then I get to see what the ball is going to do by the hole!

It’s def a skill. I love it when you can see a guy like DJ improve and turn what was considered a weakness into a strength of his game.


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You’re welcome for the read

[rbsiedsc 2,052]

5 minutes ago, Kenny B said:

I always do that at a strange course.  It doesn't here.  I live in the Twilight Zone.  It's one of the things that took me awhile to figure out.  In the desert we don't get much rain.  I think the course architect designed our greens specifically to NOT break towards the water; those subtle breaks I mentioned affect that.  Many greens have a very slight ridge that runs through some portion of the green; difficult to see, and can keep ball from breaking towards the ponds or from the side will really affect the break.  You have to know where it is.

reminds me of a course here in PDX. even though it doesn't look it, all putts break towards the Willamette. took me 4 rounds to truly start believing that

[cksurfdude 8,346]

1 hour ago, Kenny B said:

I'm not into Aimpoint; not going there.

OK then I won't mention you might look into AimPoint (..but it has really helped this golf dude figure out where to aim his putts!)

Maybe see if you can find a yardage book for your course with detail for the greens? Also, there are apps available .. GolfLogix is one example .. that have green views; though these are by subscription.

Some GPS watches are also integrating green views into their functionality - my wife got me a Golf Buddy Aim W10 that has this feature.

[B.Boston 10,530]

OK then I won't mention you might look into AimPoint (..but it has really helped this golf dude figure out where to aim his putts!)
Maybe see if you can find a yardage book for your course with detail for the greens? Also, there are apps available .. GolfLogix is one example .. that have green views; though these are by subscription.
Some GPS watches are also integrating green views into their functionality - my wife got me a Gift Buddy Aim W10 that has this feature 

I’d be super interested to learn more about aim point. I’ve always been curious but couldn’t find any articles on how you’re actually supposed to do it.


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[Kenny B 25,306]

49 minutes ago, rbsiedsc said:

reminds me of a course here in PDX. even though it doesn't look it, all putts break towards the Willamette. took me 4 rounds to truly start believing that

I can understand putts breaking towards the Willamette.  It's lower in elevation than most of the areas around Portland.  My course is very close to the Columbia River and only a matter of feet above it.  Our marina is only a block or so away.

[Kenny B 25,306]

54 minutes ago, Lacassem said:

Wonder if it’s designed to retain water better?  I’m sure those ponds can dry up quick. There is a course called shining rock here and the 3rd hole green every angle you look you would say there is no chance in hell it breaks that way....sure as hell it does, the green looks like a bowl but it’s not.

The ponds don't dry up; fed automatically by pumps from the Columbia River.  The water is low now for winter; just enough for the geese and ducks... International Audubon Society golf course.  

Our greens are not that complicated so I think the architect decided that he would screw with us.

[Kenny B 25,306]

41 minutes ago, cksurfdude said:

OK then I won't mention you might look into AimPoint (..but it has really helped this golf dude figure out where to aim his putts!)

Maybe see if you can find a yardage book for your course with detail for the greens? Also, there are apps available .. GolfLogix is one example .. that have green views; though these are by subscription.

Some GPS watches are also integrating green views into their functionality - my wife got me a Golf Buddy Aim W10 that has this feature.

I thought about Aimpoint, but apparently I can't feel differences through my feet; might have something to do with my right leg being 1/2" shorter than my left leg.

Let me know what you think of the GB Aim W10.  I've been thinking about getting one.  My GPS is an old GB Tour that still works fine even the battery!!  It must be more than 10 years old.  It is not supported anymore by the new OS.

EDIT:  Yardage book?    hahahaha  It's a muni!!  We have scorecards with the hole layouts; does that count?  Five years ago I was bewildered by several of our greens.  I thought about making a greens book using Google Earth shots, but that a lot of work.  It was easier the 2nd year after I played the course 150 times.  lol