virtuocity
Tour Winner
After a number of years, I'm just about at the point where I can stop practicing the long game so took the opportunity to spend 2 hours on 90 yard pitches (I've been missing about 70% of these recently), bunker shots (generally get stuck in bunkers 50% of the time and miles short (fat) or long (thin) with around 90% of 'bunker escapes' and some time putting (always been rubbish).
Had a really good time and glad to come away from practice not feeling knackered.
Dispersion from 90 yards:
Not great, but not a disaster. Would have hit full sized greens most of the time.
What was good about this practice is that I learned so much more than I would if I was trying to hit long clubs:
-Normally, I'd take a 50 or 56 and put a pretty full swing on it. Much better results using a half PW. Going to continue clubbing down from inside 130 yards from now on.
-Had a frustrating time in the bunker, fatting and thinning about 20 times. Then (by chance), I realised that I was swaying on the backswing. Started to make a centred turn (actually keeping 60% of my weight on my left side, with spine angle tilted away from target) and it clicked. Got out every time. Then, using a more aggressive swing, was able to hit my 56 around 85% of the distance I would carry it from the fairway. This bodes well for fairway bunker play. Going to try my 9 iron next time.
-Nearly bought a new putter before practicing as my blade was definitely to blame for my wonky shots on the green(!). Half an hour later, I realised that I had a lot of forward shaft lean at address. Worked hard on a vertical shaft throughout the stroke, seeing impact and strike was much improved.
Amazing what I learned by actually spending a little time on the practice ground. Going to commit to doing this much more often.
Had a really good time and glad to come away from practice not feeling knackered.
Dispersion from 90 yards:
Not great, but not a disaster. Would have hit full sized greens most of the time.
What was good about this practice is that I learned so much more than I would if I was trying to hit long clubs:
-Normally, I'd take a 50 or 56 and put a pretty full swing on it. Much better results using a half PW. Going to continue clubbing down from inside 130 yards from now on.
-Had a frustrating time in the bunker, fatting and thinning about 20 times. Then (by chance), I realised that I was swaying on the backswing. Started to make a centred turn (actually keeping 60% of my weight on my left side, with spine angle tilted away from target) and it clicked. Got out every time. Then, using a more aggressive swing, was able to hit my 56 around 85% of the distance I would carry it from the fairway. This bodes well for fairway bunker play. Going to try my 9 iron next time.
-Nearly bought a new putter before practicing as my blade was definitely to blame for my wonky shots on the green(!). Half an hour later, I realised that I had a lot of forward shaft lean at address. Worked hard on a vertical shaft throughout the stroke, seeing impact and strike was much improved.
Amazing what I learned by actually spending a little time on the practice ground. Going to commit to doing this much more often.
