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Bardles Journey to better golf


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There have been a few threads like this that inspired this one. Alot of them are for better players and I certainly do not fall into that category, But I have dedicated myself to getting much better at golf this year. I'm tired of being a 20+ handicap and I feel like I have the physical ability and the time to improve. My current goal is to go from the 25 hcp I am now to a 15 hcp by the end of this season (October or so where I live). If no one wants to follow along then thats cool, this thread is also for my own motivation and to look back on my swing changes and improvements as the season progresses.

How about some current stats then to show my weaknesses? I keep all my stats in 18 birdies so grabbing these averages is no problem. 

Driving accuracy from the last 5 rounds: 11.9% Left, 51.3% Hit, 36.8% Right. 

- The FH number is a bit misleading as I'll typically skull or popup a few drives so even though I hit the fairway...it wasn't exactly a great shot. 

- Yardage varies. Good strikes are 250 or so, poor strikes and mishits are around 225

GIR Average from the last 5 rounds: 10.3% 

- Its pretty obvious this is where all the improvement needs to be. It's very difficult for me to hit greens I may hit one a round, two if I'm really lucky. (More on this later)

Putts Per Hole Average from last 5 rounds: 2.3

- My putter has been really good lately, I had one poor round that was 2.5 putts per hole in the last 5 that skewed the average, but I routinely stay between 2.1 and 2.3 per hole. 

Average score from the last 5 rounds: 106

 

What I'm doing to improve:

I joined a club, its a hard course too. Its a 72.8 / 136 rating/slope and its no joke. The greens are fast, there are bunkers everywhere, water all over the place. It's affordable though and I joined to challenge myself. I have been told numerous times that if you can play there, you can play anywhere. 

The club is halfway between my home and work and only an 8 minute drive from work so on days where I don't have meetings and the sun is out I go hit balls for 40 minutes or so or chip and putt during my lunch break. 

I'm also playing in the weekly scramble and getting at least one round in every weekend. 

O and I'm taking lessons:

My first lesson ever was Tuesday night after work. The instructor was incredibly helpful. He hooked me up on the trackman and we talked for a while about my issues. I noted my inconsistency in contact and direction with my irons and he had me hit some shots. 

Heres my backswing, on plane but just a little to long, no other issues:

backswing-old.png.ec2fc906d08c2353486d986b28d1c570.png

Here's my downswing though: 

Downswing-old.png.6a834bd536505785a48aacb5c6264f00.png

OTT like crazy compared to my backswing. According to the instructor this causes all kinds of ailments, inconsistent contact, 2 way miss, etc... 

The club I'm using is a 9 iron, so he kept saying speed and power aren't the issue at all and he wanted to work me all the way to hitting a consistent draw. We spent the rest of the time shortening the backswing and really trying to feel me forcing the clubhead under the plane i took on my backswing during the downswing. 

After grooving it for a few days, its like magic for my poor contact. I don't chunk the ball anymore, period. I have had some thin shots with my wedges but the fat shots are the more painful ones for me currently and those are all but gone. I am still directionally challenged though. If I forget to shorten my backswing then I hang the face open and blast the ball right into oblivion. I have a round scheduled Sunday, I'll post back here with how it went and my stats and such. 

I keep having people tell me I'm just a few lessons away from being really good. I'm certainly planning to test that theory in the coming months. 

 

RH:

Driver: :cobra-small: F9 9.0º - 14g Low - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Woods: :cobra-small: F9 3W - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Hybrids: :cobra-small:  F9 3H - Aldila Green X

Irons: :cobra-small: F9 One Length 4-PW - Modus3 Tour 105 S

Wedges: :cobra-small: King Wedges 50º/54º/58º Versatile

Putter: :ping-small:  Sigma G Tyne 35"

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV

#cobraconnect19

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Sounds like you're on the right track.  Keep working with your instructor and practice what he teaches you.  Keeping the ball in play and a decent short game/putting will drop your handicap quickly.  Good luck and keep working at it.

Driver: :callaway-small: Rogue ST Max (10.5* set at -1 and neutral) -- Mitsubishi Tensai Blue 55g R shaft

Fairway: :callaway-small: Rogue ST Max 3 wood (16.5*) and Heaven Wood (20*)-- Tensai Blue 55g R shaft

Hybrids: :callaway-small: Rogue ST Max 5H (23*)--Tensai Blue 55g R shaft

Irons:  :callaway-small: Apex CF19 6-9, PW, AW -- KBS Tour Graphite  TGI 70 shafts R +1/2 inch 3* upright

Wedges: Edison 53* and  57* KBS PGI 80 Graphite +1/2 inch 2* upright

Putter: L.A.B. DF 2.1 -- BGT Stability shaft

Ball:  Maxfli TourX...Golf Bag: :ping-small: Pioneer...Shoes: :footjoy-small: Hyperflex... Glove: Red Rooster Feather

 

My Photography can be seen at Smugmug

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Love to see these threads! Keep posting your progress, and we'll keep cheering you on.

:titleist-small: TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue
:755178188_TourEdge: CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black
:callaway-small: Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S
:755178188_TourEdge: C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S
:touredgeexotics: CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0
:Sub70: 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW
:cleveland-small: CBX 48°
:mizuno-small: T22 54° and 60°
:edel-golf-1: EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip
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Just one comment about your putting stats. You should break those out by GIR and non GIR. This will help assess your short game and putting. GIR putting near 2 is a target and Non GIR putting near 1 is the target.

Driver:  :ping-small: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven
Fairway: :titelist-small: TS3 15*  w/Project X Hzardous Smoke
Hybrids:  :titelist-small: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype
                :titelist-small: 915H  24*  w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype        
Irons:      :honma:TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite
Wedge:  :titleist-small: 54/12D, 60/8M w/:Accra iWedge 90 Graphite
Putter:   :taylormade-small:TM-180

Testing:   SPGC_logo.jpg

Backups:  :odyssey-small: Milled Collection RSX 2, :seemore-small: mFGP2, :cameron-small: Futura 5W

Member:  MGS Hitsquad since 2017697979773_DSCN2368(Custom).JPG.a1a25f5e430d9eebae93c5d652cbd4b9.JPG

 

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Looks good!  It sounds like your instructor is working out.  The downswing doesn't look that much OTT to me, just a little steep but that's because my swing is much flatter.  I agree, there is a lot of potential there.

Agree with @cnosil.  Based on your stats, I would spend as much time as you can on short game practice.  While working on your swing, you will still be missing greens.  Getting up and down a few more times a round will reduce your HCP quickly.  I miss a lot of greens, mostly due to lack of distance; if I hit half, I feel pretty good.  However, if I have more than 32 putts per round, I feel like I putted poorly.  Chip it close, make the putt.

It doesn't take very long to go from a 25 to an 15, and lessons will help you get there faster.  I'll be following your progress.  You remind me of me 25 years ago.

We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.”

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2 hours ago, cnosil said:

Just one comment about your putting stats. You should break those out by GIR and non GIR. This will help assess your short game and putting. GIR putting near 2 is a target and Non GIR putting near 1 is the target.

Thanks for the callout. You can pretty much assume since I only hit 1 green a round that those stats are non GIR. I typically never get a chip inside of a sure 1 putt distance which is about 3 ft for me. I have so much to work on right now in my game its hard to prioritize whats most important. Missing a green by 30 yds and potentially losing a ball or chipping closer and having one less putt...not to mention my driving is not the most accurate in the world. 

I do agree if I'm not going to hit greens my chipping has to improve, but I should also clarify that I'm not on the fringe 10 ft off the green, these missed greens are in the 10-20 yd range. not ft. so I'm really pitching the ball onto them and then 2 putting. 

I'm trying to spend 4 days total practicing over lunch, 2 hitting irons and 2 chipping / putting. I could reprioritize that if I'm convinced that it would be more beneficial. I'm completely open to suggestions. 

RH:

Driver: :cobra-small: F9 9.0º - 14g Low - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Woods: :cobra-small: F9 3W - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Hybrids: :cobra-small:  F9 3H - Aldila Green X

Irons: :cobra-small: F9 One Length 4-PW - Modus3 Tour 105 S

Wedges: :cobra-small: King Wedges 50º/54º/58º Versatile

Putter: :ping-small:  Sigma G Tyne 35"

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV

#cobraconnect19

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1 hour ago, bardle said:

Thanks for the callout. You can pretty much assume since I only hit 1 green a round that those stats are non GIR. I typically never get a chip inside of a sure 1 putt distance which is about 3 ft for me. I have so much to work on right now in my game its hard to prioritize whats most important. Missing a green by 30 yds and potentially losing a ball or chipping closer and having one less putt...not to mention my driving is not the most accurate in the world. 

I do agree if I'm not going to hit greens my chipping has to improve, but I should also clarify that I'm not on the fringe 10 ft off the green, these missed greens are in the 10-20 yd range. not ft. so I'm really pitching the ball onto them and then 2 putting. 

I'm trying to spend 4 days total practicing over lunch, 2 hitting irons and 2 chipping / putting. I could reprioritize that if I'm convinced that it would be more beneficial. I'm completely open to suggestions. 

I'll second @GolfSpy MPR in that I enjoy these threads.  We could have completely dissimilar swings, but it is neat to hear instructor feedback and keep an eye out for tell tale signs of this or that in my game.  Keep the posts coming!

I would also second @Kenny B.  The long irons may be the scoring clubs for Tiger, but a 25 hdcp will probably in more cases than not see the biggest improvement from short game practice.  I would recommend reading the Pelz Short Game Bible (it's long, so maybe skim it).  He does as good a job as any explaining why the short game is so important.  If you have a real life instructor, I'd stick with his guidance on your short game technique over Pelz's methods if they are different. Even if you are still 20 yards out, this falls well under the short game definition.  The distance is going to vary from player to player, but 50yds and in is a decent guideline.  If you can get these even into a 10 ft radius and you make 20% of those with a few close enough to one putt, that could be six-seven strokes gone right there. 

If you combine this with some swing improvements to eliminate the chunks, you will be slashing  your hdcp faster than a prairie fire with a tail wind (had to reference my list of olegrayisms for that one).

:ping-small: G400 LST 8.5 Ping Tour 65 Stiff

:adams-small: Adams XTD Ti 18 deg 3Hy

:benhogan-small: Ben Hogan PTx 22-46 

:benhogan-small: Ben Hogan TK15 50, 54, 58 deg wedges

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As your ball striking improves, your proximity to the green will also improve.  If you have frequent 10-20 yard shots, certainly work on those, but still spend some time on chips and putting.  

I find it difficult to spend a lot of time working on one thing.  I like to break it up.  When I practice, I will spend maybe 15 minutes each on pitching, chipping, and putting; I don't spend a lot of time on the range unless I have an issue.  

Go to practice with a purpose.  Don't go just to hit balls.  What are you going to work on? There are many drills that help to make practice more fun.  For example, do the clock drill for putting from 3 feet; try to make them all.  If you do, move to 4 feet and repeat.  Chipping example; pick a spot just on the green to land your ball. I like to use two clubs spaced a foot or two apart (you can vary it); try to land your ball between the clubs.  Chip with different clubs to see how much rollout with each one. Determine and record distance for each club.  Doing this will help get your ball closer to the hole on the course.  Pitching is just a short full swing; I work on controlling trajectory.  Talk to your instructor about how you should work on those 10-20 yarders.

The better you get around the green, the more confidence you will have standing over a full shot knowing that even if you miss the green, you can still end up with a good result.  That frees up your swing; one part of the game helping the other parts.

We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.”

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As I high handicapper I know it can be hard to figure out what to work on first; some people attack short game some the long.   Since you are taking lessons,  as your instructor for his recommendations. 

Driver:  :ping-small: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven
Fairway: :titelist-small: TS3 15*  w/Project X Hzardous Smoke
Hybrids:  :titelist-small: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype
                :titelist-small: 915H  24*  w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype        
Irons:      :honma:TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite
Wedge:  :titleist-small: 54/12D, 60/8M w/:Accra iWedge 90 Graphite
Putter:   :taylormade-small:TM-180

Testing:   SPGC_logo.jpg

Backups:  :odyssey-small: Milled Collection RSX 2, :seemore-small: mFGP2, :cameron-small: Futura 5W

Member:  MGS Hitsquad since 2017697979773_DSCN2368(Custom).JPG.a1a25f5e430d9eebae93c5d652cbd4b9.JPG

 

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Great stuff. These are indeed fun threads.  You will no doubt start seeing some significant improvements in scoring from this investment.  Do you happen to know the name of the swing analysis system you're using?  Lastly, that is quite possibly the largest bucket of balls I have ever seen 😄.

Edited by fixyurdivot

:ping-small: G410 Plus, 9 Degree Driver 

:ping-small: G400 SFT, 16 Degree 3w

:ping-small: G400 SFT, 19 Degree 5w

:srixon-small:  ZX5 Irons 4-AW 

:ping-small: Glide 2.0 56 Degree SW   (removed from double secret probation 😍)

:EVNROLL: ER5v Putter  (Evnroll ER5v Official Review)

:odyssey-small: AI-One Milled Seven T CH (Currently Under Product Test)

 

 

 

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1 hour ago, fixyurdivot said:

Great stuff. These are indeed fun threads.  You will no doubt start seeing some significant improvements in scoring from this investment.  Do you happen to know the name of the swing analysis system you're using?  Lastly, that is quite possibly the largest bucket of balls I have ever seen 😄.

He uses trackman. And yes he keeps a uuge bucket down there for the whole day so he doesn't have to go get more. He pretty much is booked up all day every day for lessons. 

You can't even see the laundry hamper full of yellow ones that is off screen. 😎

RH:

Driver: :cobra-small: F9 9.0º - 14g Low - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Woods: :cobra-small: F9 3W - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Hybrids: :cobra-small:  F9 3H - Aldila Green X

Irons: :cobra-small: F9 One Length 4-PW - Modus3 Tour 105 S

Wedges: :cobra-small: King Wedges 50º/54º/58º Versatile

Putter: :ping-small:  Sigma G Tyne 35"

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV

#cobraconnect19

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20 minutes ago, bardle said:

He uses trackman. And yes he keeps a uuge bucket down there for the whole day so he doesn't have to go get more. He pretty much is booked up all day every day for lessons. 

You can't even see the laundry hamper full of yellow ones that is off screen. 😎

Yeah, our teaching pro brings a garbage can full of balls to the practice area in a golf cart.  He mostly teaches juniors, but on certain days he has several seniors.  

One evening a couple of year's ago, he was teaching a group of couples on the putting green.  The lesson announcement said something like "take lessons together and learn how to help each other without arguing."  My wife and I saw them as we came off #9, and as we walked to the cart which was next to the putting green, my wife said in a loud voice "I want a divorce!!"  He cracked up because he knows us very well.

We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.”

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Just came off the course. Shot a 108. 

My big takeaway is how bad my chipping is. I really tried to pay attention to my proxinity on my misses with my irons and I'll say 75% of the time I was inside 30 yards. I'll also say that I don't think any of my 17 chips got me closer than 15 ft except for 1 which I one putted. 

I had 17 chips and a whopping 44 putts today which is especially painful because I made alot of really good 2 putts today. 

Iron play was okay. I had some tops but most of those ended up fine. I also had 4 penalties. All but one was due to an errant iron shot.

Driver was on 🔥. 78% of fairways. Only 2 we're skyballs and I had a penalty on a hole I never should have hit driver on to begin with. 

Takeaways:

Needless to say I'm gonna spend a lot of time working on short game this week. Chipping from inside 20 yards or so and I'm going to spend a lot of time on lag putts. Inside 5 ft I dont ever miss by much. It's getting it there that's the problem. 

I'm also learning that my iron misses don't seem to be bad but all this swing work has my yardage broken. I had a penalty on a very well struck 7 iron that flew the green into the trees behind it from 170 out...

I hit 2 greens today. One of which was a 185 yd par 3 that landed in the middle and leaked left. I 2 putted from about 40 ft uphill. Felt good. 

 

RH:

Driver: :cobra-small: F9 9.0º - 14g Low - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Woods: :cobra-small: F9 3W - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Hybrids: :cobra-small:  F9 3H - Aldila Green X

Irons: :cobra-small: F9 One Length 4-PW - Modus3 Tour 105 S

Wedges: :cobra-small: King Wedges 50º/54º/58º Versatile

Putter: :ping-small:  Sigma G Tyne 35"

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV

#cobraconnect19

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40 minutes ago, bardle said:

Just came off the course. Shot a 108. 

 

Needless to say I'm gonna spend a lot of time working on short game this week.

 

Indeed.  While hitting your irons and woods well goes a long way to lowering scores, you've got to get the putting under control, along with getting it closer to the hole from chipping.  Putting and chipping practice will drop those scores much faster than hitting your driver well.  Keep up the good work!

Driver: :callaway-small: Rogue ST Max (10.5* set at -1 and neutral) -- Mitsubishi Tensai Blue 55g R shaft

Fairway: :callaway-small: Rogue ST Max 3 wood (16.5*) and Heaven Wood (20*)-- Tensai Blue 55g R shaft

Hybrids: :callaway-small: Rogue ST Max 5H (23*)--Tensai Blue 55g R shaft

Irons:  :callaway-small: Apex CF19 6-9, PW, AW -- KBS Tour Graphite  TGI 70 shafts R +1/2 inch 3* upright

Wedges: Edison 53* and  57* KBS PGI 80 Graphite +1/2 inch 2* upright

Putter: L.A.B. DF 2.1 -- BGT Stability shaft

Ball:  Maxfli TourX...Golf Bag: :ping-small: Pioneer...Shoes: :footjoy-small: Hyperflex... Glove: Red Rooster Feather

 

My Photography can be seen at Smugmug

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1 hour ago, bardle said:

Just came off the course. Shot a 108. 

My big takeaway is how bad my chipping is. I really tried to pay attention to my proxinity on my misses with my irons and I'll say 75% of the time I was inside 30 yards. I'll also say that I don't think any of my 17 chips got me closer than 15 ft except for 1 which I one putted. 

I had 17 chips and a whopping 44 putts today which is especially painful because I made alot of really good 2 putts today. 

Iron play was okay. I had some tops but most of those ended up fine. I also had 4 penalties. All but one was due to an errant iron shot.

Driver was on 🔥. 78% of fairways. Only 2 we're skyballs and I had a penalty on a hole I never should have hit driver on to begin with. 

Takeaways:

Needless to say I'm gonna spend a lot of time working on short game this week. Chipping from inside 20 yards or so and I'm going to spend a lot of time on lag putts. Inside 5 ft I dont ever miss by much. It's getting it there that's the problem. 

I'm also learning that my iron misses don't seem to be bad but all this swing work has my yardage broken. I had a penalty on a very well struck 7 iron that flew the green into the trees behind it from 170 out...

I hit 2 greens today. One of which was a 185 yd par 3 that landed in the middle and leaked left. I 2 putted from about 40 ft uphill. Felt good. 

 

"The more I practice, the luckier I get."  quote from just about every pro.  

Get busy!  Practicing the short game gives you feel, and that leads to better shots on the course.

We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.”

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Based on these stats and reviewing some older stats. I think I'll challenge myself and only practice chipping and putting until my next round. Which should be next weekend. That gives me 3-4 days of practice. I know that all this iron practicing netted me 1 stroke in a week. So let's see how many strokes short game only practice nets me. 

Also thanks everyone for helping me realize I don't need to hit every iron shot clean to be a better golfer. Sometimes I can be a bit hard headed about what I think is right.

RH:

Driver: :cobra-small: F9 9.0º - 14g Low - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Woods: :cobra-small: F9 3W - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Hybrids: :cobra-small:  F9 3H - Aldila Green X

Irons: :cobra-small: F9 One Length 4-PW - Modus3 Tour 105 S

Wedges: :cobra-small: King Wedges 50º/54º/58º Versatile

Putter: :ping-small:  Sigma G Tyne 35"

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV

#cobraconnect19

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12 hours ago, bardle said:

Based on these stats and reviewing some older stats. I think I'll challenge myself and only practice chipping and putting until my next round. Which should be next weekend. That gives me 3-4 days of practice. I know that all this iron practicing netted me 1 stroke in a week. So let's see how many strokes short game only practice nets me. 

Also thanks everyone for helping me realize I don't need to hit every iron shot clean to be a better golfer. Sometimes I can be a bit hard headed about what I think is right.

Another quick note: 

If I had 2 putted every hole where I did not have a chip and one putted and one chipped every hole where I had to chip, then I could have shaved 25 strokes off my round and shot an 83. That is keeping all penalties and not changing any drives or iron shots, just chips and putts. hmmm

Now obviously thats near perfection in terms of amateur short game but I'd take half of that and its a worthy stat to keep track of I think. 

RH:

Driver: :cobra-small: F9 9.0º - 14g Low - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Woods: :cobra-small: F9 3W - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Hybrids: :cobra-small:  F9 3H - Aldila Green X

Irons: :cobra-small: F9 One Length 4-PW - Modus3 Tour 105 S

Wedges: :cobra-small: King Wedges 50º/54º/58º Versatile

Putter: :ping-small:  Sigma G Tyne 35"

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV

#cobraconnect19

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Another quick note: 
If I had 2 putted every hole where I did not have a chip and one putted and one chipped every hole where I had to chip, then I could have shaved 25 strokes off my round and shot an 83. That is keeping all penalties and not changing any drives or iron shots, just chips and putts. hmmm
Now obviously thats near perfection in terms of amateur short game but I'd take half of that and its a worthy stat to keep track of I think. 


In looking at your stats, why are you missing putts? Long, short, left, right? Do you track makes from specific distances? Do you misread putts? What is your approach for distance control? What do you typically practice when you are practicing; if you practice.

What happens with your short game? Fat, thin, don’t know how far the ball will go? Do you use alignment sticks in your practice sessions?

I know you are taking lessons so you instructor is the best person To help and discuss the types of things I am asking. As I learned this weekend, my ball position was way off from what I thought it was and what I consider a significant change to ball position really helped me.

Driver:  :ping-small: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven
Fairway: :titelist-small: TS3 15*  w/Project X Hzardous Smoke
Hybrids:  :titelist-small: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype
                :titelist-small: 915H  24*  w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype        
Irons:      :honma:TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite
Wedge:  :titleist-small: 54/12D, 60/8M w/:Accra iWedge 90 Graphite
Putter:   :taylormade-small:TM-180

Testing:   SPGC_logo.jpg

Backups:  :odyssey-small: Milled Collection RSX 2, :seemore-small: mFGP2, :cameron-small: Futura 5W

Member:  MGS Hitsquad since 2017697979773_DSCN2368(Custom).JPG.a1a25f5e430d9eebae93c5d652cbd4b9.JPG

 

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11 minutes ago, cnosil said:

 


In looking at your stats, why are you missing putts? Long, short, left, right? Do you track makes from specific distances? Do you misread putts? What is your approach for distance control? What do you typically practice when you are practicing; if you practice.

What happens with your short game? Fat, thin, don’t know how far the ball will go? Do you use alignment sticks in your practice sessions?

I know you are taking lessons so you instructor is the best person To help and discuss the types of things I am asking. As I learned this weekend, my ball position was way off from what I thought it was and what I consider a significant change to ball position really helped me.

 

Good question. Here is a play by play of each hole as I remember it that might help for those that are interested:

1. 1 chip, 1 putt: 1 chip to inside 5 ft, made the putt. 

2. 3 chips, 2 putts: Thinned 2 chips across the green, got the 3rd one on, and 2 putted. 

3. 0 chips, 4 putts: Drove it ob, dropped, 3rd shot in was on the green from 165 or so but on the wrong side. 70 ft left to the pin with a big downhill shelf to the pin. Putt 1: Just try to get it to the shelf and let it roll down, Putt 2: left it short of the shelf. Tap it and let the shelf carry it past the hole. Putt 3: 7ft missed a foot to the left, Putt 4: Tap in. 

4. 2 chips, 2 putts: Par 3, Tee shot left of the green under the bunker. First chip: Thinned into the rake. 2nd chip: Didnt give it enough, just landed on the fringe and stopped. Putt 1: lag to 3 ft, Putt 2. Made the putt. 

5. 0 chips, 3 putts: 75 yard wedge shot close to the center of the green and rolled out to the other side. 35 ft to the pin. Left the first putt 8 ft short, 2nd putt to the edge, 3rd putt tap in. 

6. 1 chip, 2 putts: Chipping from 20 ft or so off the green. Left it 20 ft short, 2 putted in. 

7. 0 chips, 3 putts: One of my 2 GIR's of the day, Again left the lag putt way off line but had the right speed. missed the 6 footer and tapped in

8. 1 chip, 3 putts: Par 3, tee shot to the right of the green and above the hole on a mound. Chip past the pin, Lag putt missed to the left by 8ish feet, missed that putt as well and tapped in. 

9. 1 chip, 2 putts: Good chip to 10 ft, 2 putted in. 

10. 2 chips, 3 putts: Chipped up on to the green, ran it all the way across just off the fringe, Chipped back on from there to like 20 ft, and then somehow 3 putted, I dont recall the putting misses here. 

11. 1 chip, 3 putts: chip from just off the fringe, left the first putt really really short, like 15 ft and then 2 putted that. 

12. 0 chip, 2 putts: My other GIR and my only Par

13. 1 chip, 3 putts: Chipped from the fringe, lag put to a ridge that didnt run again. 2 putt from there 12 ft or so downhill

14. 1 chip, 2 putt:  Long chip from like 20 yards to the center of the green, 2 putted from there. 

15. 0 chips, 2 putts:  2 putted from 30 or so feet after a good approach from 115 or so to the center of the green. 

16. 2 chips, 2 putts:  Ended up on a hill way above the hole. I bladed it and almost ran it into the water on the other side. back up and just on the green from down there and a really long 2 putt to get in. 

17. 1 chip and 3 putts: Par 3 missed the green just short, Chipped it fairly close and just had a horrid putt past the hole and then ran it back past by a foot for a tap in 3 putt...

18. 0 chips and 2 putts: Good approach shot from 140 or so, very long two putt from like 40 feet. The final putt was probably 8 feet

 

After typing all of this and reviewing the round in my head its pretty apparent to me that chipping proximity and lag putt proximity are the two biggest things holding me back. I don't typically thin chip shots so that stat is weird but a clear sign that I need to be really focusing on my chipping game if I am going to miss greens. Consistency on short putts seems paramount as well. 

I'm going to use this guys short game practice schedule as my guide and update it on a weekly basis to see how I'm improving. I do not use alignment sticks btw. 

 

RH:

Driver: :cobra-small: F9 9.0º - 14g Low - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Woods: :cobra-small: F9 3W - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Hybrids: :cobra-small:  F9 3H - Aldila Green X

Irons: :cobra-small: F9 One Length 4-PW - Modus3 Tour 105 S

Wedges: :cobra-small: King Wedges 50º/54º/58º Versatile

Putter: :ping-small:  Sigma G Tyne 35"

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV

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2 minutes ago, bardle said:

Good question. Here is a play by play of each hole as I remember it that might help for those that are interested:

1. 1 chip, 1 putt: 1 chip to inside 5 ft, made the putt. 

2. 3 chips, 2 putts: Thinned 2 chips across the green, got the 3rd one on, and 2 putted. 

3. 0 chips, 4 putts: Drove it ob, dropped, 3rd shot in was on the green from 165 or so but on the wrong side. 70 ft left to the pin with a big downhill shelf to the pin. Putt 1: Just try to get it to the shelf and let it roll down, Putt 2: left it short of the shelf. Tap it and let the shelf carry it past the hole. Putt 3: 7ft missed a foot to the left, Putt 4: Tap in. 

4. 2 chips, 2 putts: Par 3, Tee shot left of the green under the bunker. First chip: Thinned into the rake. 2nd chip: Didnt give it enough, just landed on the fringe and stopped. Putt 1: lag to 3 ft, Putt 2. Made the putt. 

5. 0 chips, 3 putts: 75 yard wedge shot close to the center of the green and rolled out to the other side. 35 ft to the pin. Left the first putt 8 ft short, 2nd putt to the edge, 3rd putt tap in. 

6. 1 chip, 2 putts: Chipping from 20 ft or so off the green. Left it 20 ft short, 2 putted in. 

7. 0 chips, 3 putts: One of my 2 GIR's of the day, Again left the lag putt way off line but had the right speed. missed the 6 footer and tapped in

8. 1 chip, 3 putts: Par 3, tee shot to the right of the green and above the hole on a mound. Chip past the pin, Lag putt missed to the left by 8ish feet, missed that putt as well and tapped in. 

9. 1 chip, 2 putts: Good chip to 10 ft, 2 putted in. 

10. 2 chips, 3 putts: Chipped up on to the green, ran it all the way across just off the fringe, Chipped back on from there to like 20 ft, and then somehow 3 putted, I dont recall the putting misses here. 

11. 1 chip, 3 putts: chip from just off the fringe, left the first putt really really short, like 15 ft and then 2 putted that. 

12. 0 chip, 2 putts: My other GIR and my only Par

13. 1 chip, 3 putts: Chipped from the fringe, lag put to a ridge that didnt run again. 2 putt from there 12 ft or so downhill

14. 1 chip, 2 putt:  Long chip from like 20 yards to the center of the green, 2 putted from there. 

15. 0 chips, 2 putts:  2 putted from 30 or so feet after a good approach from 115 or so to the center of the green. 

16. 2 chips, 2 putts:  Ended up on a hill way above the hole. I bladed it and almost ran it into the water on the other side. back up and just on the green from down there and a really long 2 putt to get in. 

17. 1 chip and 3 putts: Par 3 missed the green just short, Chipped it fairly close and just had a horrid putt past the hole and then ran it back past by a foot for a tap in 3 putt...

18. 0 chips and 2 putts: Good approach shot from 140 or so, very long two putt from like 40 feet. The final putt was probably 8 feet

 

After typing all of this and reviewing the round in my head its pretty apparent to me that chipping proximity and lag putt proximity are the two biggest things holding me back. I don't typically thin chip shots so that stat is weird but a clear sign that I need to be really focusing on my chipping game if I am going to miss greens. Consistency on short putts seems paramount as well. 

I'm going to use this guys short game practice schedule as my guide and update it on a weekly basis to see how I'm improving. I do not use alignment sticks btw. 

 

Are you missing your intended line, or misreading putts? 

Wilson Staff C300 9.0* Fujikura Pro 58 stiff

Callaway Rogue 3W Mitsubishi Diamana D+ LTD 80 stiff

Mizuno MP-18 MMC FLI-HI 2 iron UST Mamiya Recoil 95 stiff

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26 minutes ago, GB13 said:

Are you missing your intended line, or misreading putts? 

Misreading is more typical for sure. As I get used to the greens hopefully that will change. This was only my 4th round on the new home course. 

RH:

Driver: :cobra-small: F9 9.0º - 14g Low - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Woods: :cobra-small: F9 3W - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Hybrids: :cobra-small:  F9 3H - Aldila Green X

Irons: :cobra-small: F9 One Length 4-PW - Modus3 Tour 105 S

Wedges: :cobra-small: King Wedges 50º/54º/58º Versatile

Putter: :ping-small:  Sigma G Tyne 35"

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV

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Are you missing your intended line, or misreading putts? 

That would be my next question when I am reading missing putts 6-8 feet left or right if the hole.

For the really short putts was the problem a bad stroke or bad speed?

Driver:  :ping-small: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven
Fairway: :titelist-small: TS3 15*  w/Project X Hzardous Smoke
Hybrids:  :titelist-small: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype
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5 minutes ago, cnosil said:


That would be my next question when I am reading missing putts 6-8 feet left or right if the hole.

For the really short putts was the problem a bad stroke or bad speed?

Typically a bad stroke. I'll get jumpy or distracted and just race them by the hole. I typically always end my putts at the hole, speed never tends to be a big issue unless I get jumpy like I said or someone says, "This ones reallyyyy fast, be careffulll" then I get in my head and leave it 10 feet short...

I'm also capable of misreading things in the 5-8 foot range...

RH:

Driver: :cobra-small: F9 9.0º - 14g Low - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Woods: :cobra-small: F9 3W - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Hybrids: :cobra-small:  F9 3H - Aldila Green X

Irons: :cobra-small: F9 One Length 4-PW - Modus3 Tour 105 S

Wedges: :cobra-small: King Wedges 50º/54º/58º Versatile

Putter: :ping-small:  Sigma G Tyne 35"

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV

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Typically a bad stroke. I'll get jumpy or distracted and just race them by the hole. I typically always end my putts at the hole, speed never tends to be a big issue unless I get jumpy like I said or someone says, "This ones reallyyyy fast, be careffulll" then I get in my head and leave it 10 feet short...
I'm also capable of misreading things in the 5-8 foot range...

Sounds like you need to get in your routine and stay there. Have a game mode and non game mode. When you enter game mode you are only thinking about the task at hand. If you don’t have a preshot routine make one.

Remember 8 feet is the 50% miss mark for PGA pros so don’t beat yourself up on missing those. Look up the stat charts on their make percentages and it is not as good as you would think.

Sounds like chipping and pitching is where you should focus your time. Figure out what swing makes the ball go a specific distance.

Driver:  :ping-small: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven
Fairway: :titelist-small: TS3 15*  w/Project X Hzardous Smoke
Hybrids:  :titelist-small: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype
                :titelist-small: 915H  24*  w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype        
Irons:      :honma:TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite
Wedge:  :titleist-small: 54/12D, 60/8M w/:Accra iWedge 90 Graphite
Putter:   :taylormade-small:TM-180

Testing:   SPGC_logo.jpg

Backups:  :odyssey-small: Milled Collection RSX 2, :seemore-small: mFGP2, :cameron-small: Futura 5W

Member:  MGS Hitsquad since 2017697979773_DSCN2368(Custom).JPG.a1a25f5e430d9eebae93c5d652cbd4b9.JPG

 

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Sounds like a multitude of issues.  Certainly work on chipping.  If you are blading shots across the green, even only on occasion, there is a swing flaw.  Likely flipping; maybe poor weight distribution.  If you are flipping, you are also likely flipping when putting.  It is nearly impossible to control distance when flipping.

I would suggest a putting lesson with your teaching pro first.  If you are missing putts long and shot; left and right by more than 3 feet, you need to fix that right away.  The drills in the video are good ones for sure, but I would say that if you have a putting flaw, that needs to be fixed first.  It shouldn't take your pro long to identify the issue.

It sounds like you have a couple of greens that have tiers with drop-offs.  I do too.  They are certainly tricky.  They become easier when your distance control becomes better.  The best option is to chip it onto the correct level. LOL!  The second best option is to get the first putt onto that level, even if you hit the ball a little hard.  Judging the correct speed to get it just over the drop-off is difficult, so don't bother with that until you are better at judging distances.

We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.”

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 Too many people overlook getting short game lessons.  A pro can get you headed in the right direction quickly and will give you several drills to work on.  Good luck!

Driver: :callaway-small: Rogue ST Max (10.5* set at -1 and neutral) -- Mitsubishi Tensai Blue 55g R shaft

Fairway: :callaway-small: Rogue ST Max 3 wood (16.5*) and Heaven Wood (20*)-- Tensai Blue 55g R shaft

Hybrids: :callaway-small: Rogue ST Max 5H (23*)--Tensai Blue 55g R shaft

Irons:  :callaway-small: Apex CF19 6-9, PW, AW -- KBS Tour Graphite  TGI 70 shafts R +1/2 inch 3* upright

Wedges: Edison 53* and  57* KBS PGI 80 Graphite +1/2 inch 2* upright

Putter: L.A.B. DF 2.1 -- BGT Stability shaft

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1 hour ago, CarlH said:

 Too many people overlook getting short game lessons.  A pro can get you headed in the right direction quickly and will give you several drills to work on.  Good luck!

You guys have helped me to understand the flaws in my short game are more important than the flaws in my irons. My next lesson will be a short game one but in the meantime I need to get better. Its not financially responsible for me to spend 100 dollars a week on lessons, so next month when I do another one, thats where it will be. In the meantime I'll be practicing these drills as I think its the next best thing I can do for myself. 

 

1 hour ago, Kenny B said:

Sounds like a multitude of issues.  Certainly work on chipping.  If you are blading shots across the green, even only on occasion, there is a swing flaw.  Likely flipping; maybe poor weight distribution.  If you are flipping, you are also likely flipping when putting.  It is nearly impossible to control distance when flipping.

I would suggest a putting lesson with your teaching pro first.  If you are missing putts long and shot; left and right by more than 3 feet, you need to fix that right away.  The drills in the video are good ones for sure, but I would say that if you have a putting flaw, that needs to be fixed first.  It shouldn't take your pro long to identify the issue.

It sounds like you have a couple of greens that have tiers with drop-offs.  I do too.  They are certainly tricky.  They become easier when your distance control becomes better.  The best option is to chip it onto the correct level. LOL!  The second best option is to get the first putt onto that level, even if you hit the ball a little hard.  Judging the correct speed to get it just over the drop-off is difficult, so don't bother with that until you are better at judging distances.

My putting stroke and my chipping stroke are completely different animals so I'm not sure that the same flaws exist in both. Everything is different about the two from setup to stroke. I'm not saying there aren't flaws but I think I can improve my feel on distance in lag putts in the meantime while I wait for another lesson. But I'm open to other options and ideas of things I should do in the meantime to improve. Realistically I'll have a lesson middle of next month. 

RH:

Driver: :cobra-small: F9 9.0º - 14g Low - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Woods: :cobra-small: F9 3W - Evenflow White T1100 75G X

Hybrids: :cobra-small:  F9 3H - Aldila Green X

Irons: :cobra-small: F9 One Length 4-PW - Modus3 Tour 105 S

Wedges: :cobra-small: King Wedges 50º/54º/58º Versatile

Putter: :ping-small:  Sigma G Tyne 35"

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV

#cobraconnect19

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1 hour ago, CarlH said:

 Too many people overlook getting short game lessons.  A pro can get you headed in the right direction quickly and will give you several drills to work on.  Good luck!

Great thread here, and this is 100% spot on.  

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4 hours ago, bardle said:

You guys have helped me to understand the flaws in my short game are more important than the flaws in my irons. My next lesson will be a short game one but in the meantime I need to get better. Its not financially responsible for me to spend 100 dollars a week on lessons, so next month when I do another one, thats where it will be. In the meantime I'll be practicing these drills as I think its the next best thing I can do for myself. 

 

My putting stroke and my chipping stroke are completely different animals so I'm not sure that the same flaws exist in both. Everything is different about the two from setup to stroke. I'm not saying there aren't flaws but I think I can improve my feel on distance in lag putts in the meantime while I wait for another lesson. But I'm open to other options and ideas of things I should do in the meantime to improve. Realistically I'll have a lesson middle of next month. 

Since you have to wait for a lesson...  just a few more 2 cents.  I'll be broke soon.  😀

When you chip, not pitch, does the clubhead pass the hands?  If it does, it's likely a flip; hard to make good contact and control distance.  People will have different views on this and some use these terms interchangeably, but mine is that a pitch shot has a release of the club like a mini-full swing and a chip shot doesn't.  When close to the green, a chip shot is easier to control than a pitch shot.

As with a chip, the hands should lead the putter head through impact.

When off the green... "Putt when you can, chip when you can't putt, pitch when you have to."

We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.”

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I’m no pro. But even just for entertainment factor, do yourself a favor and check out Seve’s Short Game video. Not saying you should use his technique, but it will get the wheels turning.

The short game should be the funnest part of the game. It is for me anyways. 100 and in is my favorite.

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