What/How Did You Practice Today?

[cksurfdude]

This morning was pretty nice at 56* and very little wind but rain was forecasted for early afternoon. So I went to the club to practice. I started on the pitching green and hit a variety of shots from 25 and 50 yards; high, low with my 54 and 58 SCORs. I hadn't done this since last fall, but I was happy with the results.

 

Next, I went to the range (I hate range work!) and worked on getting a bigger backswing. I shot my best round on Sunday by focusing on a good turn, and I thought that the winter caused a shorter turn, so let's stretch it out! Hit some nice shots, but had a few mishits. I will be doing this more over the coming weeks.

 

Then I went to the chipping/putting green. First I worked on chip shots with my 54, 50, and 46 SCORs varying shots to different pins. This part of my game was solid last weekend, and today I was still sticking them close. I'll keep riding that horse as long as I can. Finally, I worked on putting from the MGS putting test distance of 5, 10, and 20 feet. The grounds crew mowed the greens early today, and they were pretty quick; just like I like them. Yesterday, the grass was too wet and the greens didn't get mowed. No bunker practice; maybe next time.

 

Overall, I spent 2 hours practicing. It's supposed to be a nice sunny day tomorrow so I'll be playing with the guys at the club. I wonder how many strokes today's practice will be worth??

Wow .. nice! You have a great practice regimen. If it's not "worth" actual strokes - yet - I bet it translates into easy pars and birdies

[Kenny B]

Wow .. nice! You have a great practice regimen. If it's not "worth" actual strokes - yet - I bet it translates into easy pars and birdies

I really like short game practice.  I could probably chip/pitch putt all day long.  I think it's because I can be a little creative with different shots.  It's kind of odd for an engineer, I know.  I only go to the range if I need to work on a specific aspect of my swing.  Today I did not hit my driver.  Don't really need to and hitting driver more than a few times wears me out.      My short game has really improved since I moved to this club last year.  My old club did not have good practice areas, and the course conditions were unlike any other course in the STATE!!  Didn't do much good to practice there anyway.

[cksurfdude]

I really like short game practice. I could probably chip/pitch putt all day long. I think it's because I can be a little creative with different shots. It's kind of odd for an engineer, I know. I only go to the range if I need to work on a specific aspect of my swing. Today I did not hit my driver. Don't really need to and hitting driver more than a few times wears me out. My short game has really improved since I moved to this club last year. My old club did not have good practice areas, and the course conditions were unlike any other course in the STATE!! Didn't do much good to practice there anyway.

Yeah, same here except you're making me think I might have to find a real club to join... Although around here that's pretty much cost prohibitive. So I scratch around at a few different public facilities, plus my garage and on occasion my backyard.

 

Do like the range - once in a while - and spend most of my time there with irons and hybrids.

[dhartmann34]

We got 8 inches of snow and I'm still recovering from having the appendix jump ship, so I've just been working on the positions in the video I previously posted. For so long I've been sticking my butt out. Pretty tough to get it back in and round things out, but I'm getting there.

 

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[cnosil]

I really like short game practice. I could probably chip/pitch putt all day long.

I am like you. I could practice this aspect of my game all day. It is pretty much all I do practice and I may go to the range and hit a couple of warmup balls before a round. I practice putting at home and get to the course well before a round to work primarily on pitch and chips. Unfortunately my short game practice does not carry over to the course

[cksurfdude]

I am like you. I could practice this aspect of my game all day. It is pretty much all I do practice and I may go to the range and hit a couple of warmup balls before a round. I practice putting at home and get to the course well before a round to work primarily on pitch and chips. Unfortunately my short game practice does not carry over to the course

Yeah - I hate that... Smooth and controlled in practice, telling ourselves we're video-worthy of a "How To" segment on The Golf Channel, but then....

 

Nerves? Jitters? Tension? Distracted? Focusing on the "do not hit it there"? Over-thinking the value of the shot?

 

(What do we do to ourselves when we're out on the course?????)

[MDGolfHacker]

I think I've practiced replying to every new thread that's popped up here today. Does that count ? All the ranges and courses are closed with snow and ice still covering the ground.

 

MDGolfHacker

[Big money]

Had a big problem of hooking the ball.So last week I thought I would experiment with ways to fix it.Found out that when I drive my right elbow past my belt buckle I don't hook as bad.My golf game and swing is a mixture treasure trove of quick fix tips.Hope this feel lasts longer than a week

[Kenny B]

Yeah - I hate that... Smooth and controlled in practice, telling ourselves we're video-worthy of a "How To" segment on The Golf Channel, but then....

 

Nerves? Jitters? Tension? Distracted? Focusing on the "do not hit it there"? Over-thinking the value of the shot?

 

(What do we do to ourselves when we're out on the course?????)

Yeah, that why I said I wonder how many strokes this practice will be worth.  I think we all expect that if we practice and practice that we will get up 'n down nearly 100% of the time, and are disappointed that we don't.  However, I have seen over the last year that I am flubbing less shots, getting shots a little closer to the pin, and have made a few.  Some days are really good; others maybe not so good, but overall I think I'm better.  But it's golf... that is the way it's supposed to be!

[Kenny B]

Had a big problem of hooking the ball.So last week I thought I would experiment with ways to fix it.Found out that when I drive my right elbow past my belt buckle I don't hook as bad.My golf game and swing is a mixture treasure trove of quick fix tips.Hope this feel lasts longer than a week

There is no way I could ever "drive my right elbow past my belt buckle"!!  I think I would hurt myself.  At my age if I can get it inside my right hip, I'm happy!  

[Shankster]

Every day for the past 4 months I hit 7 yard chips from my living room to my bedroom, through a pretty tight (approx 18" wide) window. Hit the simulator once a month at the college. And practice putting 2-10'ers

 

 

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[cksurfdude]

Yeah, that why I said I wonder how many strokes this practice will be worth. I think we all expect that if we practice and practice that we will get up 'n down nearly 100% of the time, and are disappointed that we don't. However, I have seen over the last year that I am flubbing less shots, getting shots a little closer to the pin, and have made a few. Some days are really good; others maybe not so good, but overall I think I'm better. But it's golf... that is the way it's supposed to be!

Similar here - incremental on-course improvements over time. Practice practice practice to work on ingraining the proper movements but when it counts still have yet to convince myself to "trust it"....

[cksurfdude]

Had a big problem of hooking the ball.So last week I thought I would experiment with ways to fix it.Found out that when I drive my right elbow past my belt buckle I don't hook as bad.My golf game and swing is a mixture treasure trove of quick fix tips.Hope this feel lasts longer than a week

I am NOT one to pass on swing tips, but... FYI and only fyi....

(Also see the thread on Golf Instruction Overload!)

 

Recently saw a Secret Golf clip on Twitter with Steve Elkington and Pat Perez on how to hit a fade (the situation they were working on was an approach to a sloped green) .. Elk was coaching Pat and told him at the moment of impact think of your hands (*assuming you're right-handed) turning clockwise; ie. trying holding the face more open.

 

FYI.

[opsimpson]

Finally decided to make changes that needed for a long time and went for lessons. Needless to say it has been eye opening. The real vs feel is unbelievable. I never thought I did anything with my lower body and come to find out that was the main issue with my swing. Going for my 4th lesson today. Even though it is on a simulator the changes in regards to strike and flight (for a simulator) have been amazing. I always fought a pull hook but now it is a straight to gentle fade with 1 and 1/2 club gain in distance.

 

I am now an advocate of lessons. I always thought I could figure it out. I guess the wife was right I am little stubborn. Just don't tell her. LOL!!!

[Shankster]

Finally some swampy dormant weeds to hit off from. About a 10' circle, good to knock the rust off. A few more weeks till the snow melts and I can go find the lucky Pro V's I sent on a ride. I have 75 yards in my backyard I've turned into a 15, 25, 30, 45, 50... 75 yard chip and pitch practice area, nothing special, I just knock the tall stuff down. Has a "bunker" and I can replicate most all lies, looking to install a putting/chipping green in my basement for next winter, and it just so happens the living room is tall enough for full driver swings, maybe a Skytrak...

 

 

- Da Yooper

[Jmikecpa]

Got out today to the range and worked on tempo and ball flight. The 917 just does not agree with range balls and was spinning off the charts. Gave up on it after about 8 swings. My game is ready for four rounds this week, well as ready as it can be coming off a winter layoff.

 

 

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[josmi15]

Was able to walk 18 today, soggy conditions, but my new wedges are getting dialed in. Keep pulling my long irons. Definitely need to work on putting 7 three putts.

 

 

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[Shankster]

Working on my 100 yard and in. My neighbors are on vacation so... I hit them over the trees "on accident", getting the basics back down. My grip drifted to weak over the winter. Got it back, easier to manufacture shots now. Officially pulling the 60° out of the bag for good. 56° is my one stop shop for accuracy and dial a distance. Throwing darts from 30, 40 and 50 yards. All within a yard of my "pin".

 

 

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[TSauer]

Was able to walk 9 today then hit around afterwards. Plan on getting back to the basics tomorrow with my swing, something just isn't right. Needs lots of practice.

[cksurfdude]

Hit waaaaay too many more range balls than an old guy should - 225 (for $17) - but did spend most of my time, effort and range balls with different wedges going at different targets .. 100, 75 and 50.

 

Did much better than usual at 100 and 75, but strangely enough had trouble with the 50 .. not a huge dispersion but bad enough .. hmmm....

 

Anyway was trying to focus on a consistent, smooth tempo with a simple, easy swing. Still needs more work but making some progress!

[dhartmann34]

I took lesson #2 the weekend before last and have a lot to work on. These are a few of the drills. I put them in play this past weekend and while I hit some really ugly shots, I hit some really great shots as well. It won't come quickly or easy and it may get worse before it gets better, but I'm really happy so far.

 

https://youtu.be/djsSZwdDmQ4

 

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[808nation]

Yesterday, I worked on getting my left shoulder more up and swinging on a more up swing with my driver to get my flight up.

[Big money]

Have been taking a series of in person golf lesson(s) this last month and half.The teacher directed his entire focus fixing my severe over the top swing.Been working on manually shallowing the club and squaring the face at impact with a hard left pivot.This all has been done with his watchful eye- camera and extensive muscle memory drills.All during the lesson(s) I've never swung the club more than a 50% of my normal speed.Funny enough the distances have almost been the same of my normal 100% old motion.Maybe because the ball is going lower? Not sure

 

Anyway, when i play i try and replicate the motion as best as I can.Almost feel like I'm bunting the ball.Just can't describe how swinging with no speed emphasis can hit the Ball just as far or farther than my all out speed.Truly feels like I'm only going to hit my driver 80 yards.According to him , all over the top guys are the result of trying to hit the Ball.His focus is let the club do the work for you.Swing as easy as where you feel the weight of the club in your hand with oily wrists

[cksurfdude]

Have been taking a series of in person golf lesson(s) this last month and half.The teacher directed his entire focus fixing my severe over the top swing.Been working on manually shallowing the club and squaring the face at impact with a hard left pivot.This all has been done with his watchful eye- camera and extensive muscle memory drills.All during the lesson(s) I've never swung the club more than a 50% of my normal speed.Funny enough the distances have almost been the same of my normal 100% old motion.Maybe because the ball is going lower? Not sure

 

Anyway, when i play i try and replicate the motion as best as I can.Almost feel like I'm bunting the ball.Just can't describe how swinging with no speed emphasis can hit the Ball just as far or farther than my all out speed.Truly feels like I'm only going to hit my driver 80 yards.According to him , all over the top guys are the result of trying to hit the Ball.His focus is let the club do the work for you.Swing as easy as where you feel the weight of the club in your hand with oily wrists

Sounds like .. and my uneducated guess is .. you're making better contact with the ball. Congrats!

[MDGolfHacker]

Didn't practice per say, but I looked at old videos of when I attended a golf school at Orange County National in Winter Garden, Fl. Reviewed some basics and then put on Phil Mickelson's short game DVD. Need to actually get out and see if the mental changes I made in my swing match the physical reality of my swing, lol.

 

MDGolfHacker

[wbealsd]

Weather here is still pretty spotty, mostly spending time on the range getting ready for my fitting next week.  Had surgery in late February and really got out of golf shape.

 

Purpose of fitting is: review / check irons from last Fall's fitting (should be short, as they seem to be pretty good), add hybrid or wood to fill gap between current fairway wood and hybrid (currently 5 1/2 degree gap between clubs) and replace head / driver after denting my current driver head.

 

Generally getting about 100 swings in, split between irons, hybrid and driver 4-5 days a week (either outdoors on range, or indoors if weather is bad) for the past 2 1/2 weeks.

 

I feel like I'm making progress, even if I'm not as physically fit as I'd hoped to be by this time of year.

[revkev]

Had a blast hitting balls yesterday between our assistant pro and a guy prepping for life on the hooters tour.

 

I was stunned by how low he launched his driver. Still the ball was staying in the air for ever. It was impressive but I don't know how it will play in it High launch world.

 

 

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[josmi15]

I shot an 86.

 

44/42 my first round ever with multiple birdies!

 

It was 4 hours ago and I'm still cheesing!!!!

 

 

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[Dgolfer]

I shot an 86.

 

44/42 my first round ever with multiple birdies!

 

It was 4 hours ago and I'm still cheesing!!!!

 

 

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I know where your going tomorrow. Congrats!!

 

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[dhartmann34]

My instructor said something that really hit a nerve with me the other day when we were talking about seeing thoughts. He knows I play a lot of basketball and asked me if I think through all the parts of taking a shot like "set my feet", "bend the knees", "look at the rim" "take the ball back" "now shoot". Of course I said heck no. I just do it. And he said exactly. Through practice you train your body to make the right moves and when you get on the course you think about what you want to do in your pre shot routine and then you just do it. It really made sense to me and made me want to just clear my mind and just hit the ball. I'm hoping that frame of mind will remove any thoughts and allow me to swing freely.

 

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