How'd you play?

[richk9holes]

41 minutes ago, funkyjudge said:

5-hybrid from as far as 30-40 yards off the green and often cozy the ball up within 3 to 5 feet of the hole.

This bump shot has been a revelation for me. I use a choked down 4w, but same general idea of using less than a quarter swing with a 200y club to make it run 40y or so.

I first considered it when they had Colin Morikawa mic'd at a tournament on TV. He talked through a shot and it stood out to me as he was choosing between wedge and a 4w. Not many times you hear that in commentary, peaked my interest.

The shot he was attempting was about 30 yards off the green. He explained the 8i chip most people immediately jump to hit in that scenario doesn't work for him because his irons really explode the ball off the face. He feels more control off the face of his old trusty 4w. 

When a shot like that calls for spin he will close the face on a wedge to create that chipper alignment he might get with a short iron. If the shot allows for running out he is fond of using the 4w to chip it. 

My old trusty is also a 4w, so it clicked for me and I've been going to that shot more and more since.

[funkyjudge]

1 minute ago, richk9holes said:

This bump shot has been a revelation for me. I use a choked down 4w, but same general idea of using less than a quarter swing with a 200y club to make it run 40y or so.

I first considered it when they had Colin Morikawa mic'd at a tournament on TV. He talked through a shot and it stood out to me as he was choosing between wedge and a 4w. Not many times you hear that in commentary, peaked my interest.

The shot he was attempting was about 30 yards off the green. He explained the 8i chip most people immediately jump to hit in that scenario doesn't work for him because his irons really explode the ball off the face. He feels more control off the face of his old trusty 4w. 

When a shot like that calls for spin he will close the face on a wedge to create that chipper alignment he might get with a short iron. If the shot allows for running out he is fond of using the 4w to chip it. 

My old trusty is also a 4w, so it clicked for me and I've been going to that shot more and more since.

It took some time and practice to get my distance control dialed-in with the “hybrid putt” or “hybrid chip” shot, and I have found that I am much more consistent with a 22 to 24 degree lofted club than with a 17 or 19 degree hybrid.

 I don’t use that shot on extremely fast greens or downhill chips, instead opting to play a “toe chip” with a 9 iron or pitching wedge, so that I can impart some shot-stopping spin on the shot.

[richk9holes]

@funkyjudge totally agree. I picked up the habit of using the toe of the wedge more the closer I get to the hole after watching Johnny Wunder do testing with the Jaws raw wedges.

It dawned on me I can really tighten the dispersion of my less than perfect shots by trying to hit my full swings square on the sweet spot and moving my target for contact out toward the toe the closer I get to the hole.

[IndyBonzo]

10 minutes ago, richk9holes said:

@funkyjudge totally agree. I picked up the habit of using the toe of the wedge more the closer I get to the hole after watching Johnny Wunder do testing with the Jaws raw wedges.

It dawned on me I can really tighten the dispersion of my less than perfect shots by trying to hit my full swings square on the sweet spot and moving my target for contact out toward the toe the closer I get to the hole.

I just tried the same yesterday for the first time after watching a MrShortGame vid where he recommended the same.  It seemed to work well.  Need to keep experimenting with it, but is certainly promising.

[gavinski91]

Rain in the forecast tomorrow, but today looks nice, and the boss is out for the day. Very tempted to get out for a round at some point here.....

[GaryF]

2 hours ago, funkyjudge said:

Reply to all who have questions regarding my putts per round stat — I transposed the second and third digits; the average is 28.6 putts, not 26.8. Part of the reason for my relatively low putts per round average is because I chip in quite frequently and use my putter or 5-hybrid from as far as 30-40 yards off the green and often cozy the ball up within 3 to 5 feet of the hole.

This year, my putts per round average is actually trending downward, as I have had 27 and 25 putts in my first two 18-hole posted rounds of the 2023 posting season.  Putting has almost always been a strength of my game, as is chipping and bunker play (except during the winter non-posting season when greens and bunkers are typically in horrible shape.

That’s great putting! I’ve  worked a lot with my wedges with pitching and chipping, which has helped my putting but still have a longs ways to improve the putting. 

[Sluggo42]

Been playing crappy for a while, so hit a bucket after yesterdays round- I actually found a few problems- basics really… but it seemed to roll over to todays round of a +3 74…

2 of the 3 bogies were due to not getting my up and down by not getting my pitch close enough, and the 3rd was the result of hitting my 5 wood too well into a nasty green side bunker that took 2 swings to get out of- still almost made the par putt- 

but - thrilled with a very clean round today

[Bang60]

3 hours ago, Sluggo42 said:

Been playing crappy for a while, so hit a bucket after yesterdays round- I actually found a few problems- basics really… but it seemed to roll over to todays round of a +3 74…

2 of the 3 bogies were due to not getting my up and down by not getting my pitch close enough, and the 3rd was the result of hitting my 5 wood too well into a nasty green side bunker that took 2 swings to get out of- still almost made the par putt- 

but - thrilled with a very clean round today

Yeah bunkers don’t like me anymore  

[richk9holes]

Played the same 9 hole as yesterday, much wetter not as windy played like a different course. I played like a different golfer, a better ball striker actually but the putts were hard to control speed with wet greens so I scored worse. Yesterday was +2 from white, today was +8 from white/+9 from blue.

I hit 2 dives OB and took penalties on otherwise pars. These drives were struck exactly how I'd like and flew straight, but I was planning on my normal slice. I'm happy I've worked through it and can start targeting fairways instead of lakes, sand traps and tree lines. 

Also lost strokes on wedge play going over the hole, but this means I'm striking the ball cleaner and not losing the distance I have in my mind/number for each wedge needs to tick up a touch because I'm hitting them crisp.

[LeftyMatt89]

Played the Parklands course at the Legends Resort and made too many careless bogeys but the kicker was a double from 125 out to shoot an 81. Was a lot of fun with some pretty decent shots and some bad ones mixed in there too. Happy to get out on the family vacation and play a good course.

[Syks7]

8 hours ago, richk9holes said:

This bump shot has been a revelation for me. I use a choked down 4w, but same general idea of using less than a quarter swing with a 200y club to make it run 40y or so.

I first considered it when they had Colin Morikawa mic'd at a tournament on TV. He talked through a shot and it stood out to me as he was choosing between wedge and a 4w. Not many times you hear that in commentary, peaked my interest.

The shot he was attempting was about 30 yards off the green. He explained the 8i chip most people immediately jump to hit in that scenario doesn't work for him because his irons really explode the ball off the face. He feels more control off the face of his old trusty 4w. 

When a shot like that calls for spin he will close the face on a wedge to create that chipper alignment he might get with a short iron. If the shot allows for running out he is fond of using the 4w to chip it. 

My old trusty is also a 4w, so it clicked for me and I've been going to that shot more and more since.

Fiddled with it.  Just isn't for me.  I have RBZ Stage 2 Hybrids and woods and the face is just a wee bit too hot to get good touch on.  Plus, I spent so much time a couple years ago rebuilding my short game that I just feel more comfortable with a wedge or iron in hand.  Even for that low bump.

[Kenny B]

Lousy

But I wore shorts for the first time at my course this year!!    Legs got some sunshine… but I still wore 5 layers on top!  Cold and still windy!!  Walked 18 holes playing with my wife and her brother.  Play started on #10 which is the easier of the two nines to walk… 41.  I felt pretty good at the turn, but the front nine is a longer par 37 and much tough walk.  I guess I ran out of gas… 47.  Drove the ball pretty well, but my scoring relies on putting and that’s not happening with all those holes punched all over the green.  April 5, 2023… Kenny B wore shorts!!  Might be several more days before I wear them again. 

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

86 (40/46)

The front 9 for me could have been my best 9 holes ever. Had 4 bogeys and 5 pars. Had birdie chances on 3 holes and one of them ended up being a bogey 3 putt the others stayed pars, and the book end bogeys should have been easy pars just wayward second shots that hurt me.

The back 9 was a different story. Great off the tee the whole round and the front 9 had some great wedges that just left me really easy tap ins. The back 9 I had a few hostel rocket yips that absolutely killed me, just lack of attention and being frustrated compounding injuries. Had 5 doubles on the back a birdie and a bogey.

All in was a great day and a round with my dad who also played very well and was lights out putting. Cant wait for the next one. Picture sums up the morning (sent this to my cousin mid round)

[invee123]

Played 9 at the local executive (par 31) and shot a 37. Really need to work on getting back on GIR as I've got my distance down but I just can't seem to figure out alignment. Rookie stuff

2/3 Fairways, 2/9 greens, 18 putts, 37 (+6)

[Kenny B]

Pretty good round today.  Shot 40/40 = 80 that would have been much better except I doubled #9, 10, and 11.    Putting on punched greens is not much fun when putting is a strength of your game.  

[Placasse61]

I was good or, bad!! 95 49/40. 4 triples, 4 doubles 5 pars and a bird to finish up. Putting was good today 30, dropped a few 12 -15 footers and could have had another Birdie and 2 more pars as the ball just past over the rim. Overall anytime you can get a round in with your son is a great day

[ZackS]

Shot 80 today which for a course that is relatively easy is not great. But considering I am just getting back into playing I will take it. I actually feel like I hit it better than the score reflects. Getting a 7 on a par 3 definitely does not help, haha! That was crazy, the hole goes straight out over to a peninsula that has the green and tee box for the next hole out at the end. It was playing 180 but straight into the wind from a cold front coming in. I hit a 4 iron which I hit 205 to 210 and pured it. Only to watch it come up it come up 20 yards short in the water. I am still shaking my head thinking about. Now me hitting the next one in the water after my drop is on me . On the positive side I hit the new drive well on it's maiden voyage. 

Edited April 7, 2023 by ZackS

[Caddie1966]

Shot 82. 38/44.  
lipped out for par on 1.  Chipped to 1 foot for par on 2, 6 and 8.  Double on 11 a par 5 where I had 165into the wind to reach in 2. Yanked a 7 iron OB and make 1st of 4 doubles on the back. Double 12 an easy par 3 but Drove it 302 on 14  to 40 yards short of flag and pitched to kick in birdie. Could/Should have shot 75 but that’s why this isn’t my day job.

[richk9holes]

I was right all day on 9 holes. Drives, approaches and most damaging to my score putts, all were right and if not correct distance long.

I might be crooked.

I might be left handed.

These are thoughts I had en route to 53 on par 35.

[Sluggo42]

Well as good as yesterday was, today wasn’t… ugh…

[Sluggo42]

2 hours ago, Kenny B said:

Pretty good round today.  Shot 40/40 = 80 that would have been much better except I doubled #9, 10, and 11.    Putting on punched greens is not much fun when putting is a strength of your game.  

We are all punched and sanded right now too, but they also got a new machine that punches the first cut, and “ punches” is a kind word, more like carpet bombing… good grief it’s a mess!

[cnosil]

League night;  warm and breezy since thunderstorms were coming into the area.  

Team lost25-23 and my round was kind of weird.   3 FW, 1 GIR, 15 putts.   Hit a few thin shots and topped 6 shots.  All of the tops ended up in decent position and I was able to salvage par or bogey in most cases.  

Worked on my short game prior to the round while listening to the forum community call and my pitching was terrible again.  Like yesterday,  I reach a point that I can hit the shots fairly well,  but it takes quite a few shots to get into that groove.  

[Kenny B]

37 minutes ago, Sluggo42 said:

We are all punched and sanded right now too, but they also got a new machine that punches the first cut, and “ punches” is a kind word, more like carpet bombing… good grief it’s a mess!

It wouldn’t be so bad if they could keep sand in the holes; wind keeps blowing it out.  

[skraeling]

First round of the year as a warmup before league starts next week.  Golfing in 20mph gusting to 40mph was.... challenging, but not what cost me the most strokes lol.

That glory was reserved for me attempting ANY kind of wedge shot.

Highlight of the day though was hitting a 3h out of a bunker and landing it albeit off the green, even with the flag.

Pic 2… how my wedges went all day lol.

Edited April 7, 2023 by skraeling

[chisag]

... Just a reminder that golf isn't fair. Hit my best drive of the day Thursday into a slight wind leaving 185 on the difficult 438yd finishing hole. Pin left middle with a bunker guarding the front left. Fairways and greens are really firm so I hit a 5 iron as well as I can hit it with a soft draw landing on the fringe and should have tracked right to the hole. Two of my best shots ... but I hit a sprinkler head and it bounced crazy high and hard left just missing the lake and bounding 15yds over the green. Left with an almost impossible chip over one mound, a dip and then a rise to the green and then sloping away I hit a bump and run landing just over the mound and rolling up over the rise and trickled to a few inches. So at least the Golf Gods didn't get the last laugh. But that sprinkler head bounce was hard to stomach ... 

[Sluggo42]

and just like that, it came back. My second 74 for the week- aided a lot by the new Callaway Paradym 9 wood (Para-9)

just a pretty solid day again- 

[Rickp]

7:20 Tee Time with Bacon Boyz this morning on a middlin Exec.  My only thoughts were to hit the PXG 0311 5hy as much as possible even if I had to switch to different Tees to get a few for yardage and how this club handles.  Had to wait until 3rd hole then 5th hit it twice (par 4) 8th & 9th.  Without getting into stupid this hybrid lives up to the hype especially off the Bermuda turf which was mostly hardpan.  It’s dead straight, I played for a fade like previous hybrids but nope it stayed true.  I’m really liking PXG products.

[Sluggo42]

1 hour ago, Rickp said:

7:20 Tee Time with Bacon Boyz this morning on a middlin Exec.  My only thoughts were to hit the PXG 0311 5hy as much as possible even if I had to switch to different Tees to get a few for yardage and how this club handles.  Had to wait until 3rd hole then 5th hit it twice (par 4) 8th & 9th.  Without getting into stupid this hybrid lives up to the hype especially off the Bermuda turf which was mostly hardpan.  It’s dead straight, I played for a fade like previous hybrids but nope it stayed true.  I’m really liking PXG products.

I was looking at the hybrids, a 5 or 6, to get that 5 iron distance, but I seem to snap hook them all- whereas for me, the 9 wood is more tame and predictable..

And the height and soft landing is mind boggling

[ZackS]

1 hour ago, Rickp said:

7:20 Tee Time with Bacon Boyz this morning on a middlin Exec.  My only thoughts were to hit the PXG 0311 5hy as much as possible even if I had to switch to different Tees to get a few for yardage and how this club handles.  Had to wait until 3rd hole then 5th hit it twice (par 4) 8th & 9th.  Without getting into stupid this hybrid lives up to the hype especially off the Bermuda turf which was mostly hardpan.  It’s dead straight, I played for a fade like previous hybrids but nope it stayed true.  I’m really liking PXG products.

I recently got a 0317 Gen2 22 degree hybrid and loving it so far. I had such a solid feel to it. 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

I had a good round this morning. Got finished just before the rain came into the area. I'm still coming up a little short into some greens but my chipping made up for it today. My first of the season, an all par round. Greens were still slow and trying to heal from aeration. They should be good in about a week. The woods were all straight and in the fairway, chipping left all tap ins. Putting would have been better if the greens weren't so slow. Birdie opportunities just couldnt capatalize on. 

I think part of coming up short is due to the different type of course, base material and grass. My old course was a clay based soil which was hard. So you could land a ball short and it would bounce onto the green and be close to the cup. My new course has most of the greens elevated. The base is sand and the grass is sticky Bermuda. If you land 2" off the green it just stays there. I'm trying to be more aggressive into the greens, which helped this round.

I was having trouble with my 7 iron last week so I swapped it out for my old sets (Wilson D200) 7 iron. Found out quickly that going back to game improvment irons with a bigger offset wasn't a good idea. So on two holes I hit 8 iron knowing I was going to be short. But they were right on line. I relied on my chipping to save the holes.

All in all It was a good day.