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Are high handicappers losing out by hitting the ball too hard?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alex1975
  • Start date Start date
yeah thats true. the pros might have fast swings but even then they swing within themselves. 90% . we tend to try and give it 110% that isnt really there and make a balls of it.
 
Who tells you that and what is there reason for it?
I was told it directly by my teaching pro, I also read it in a magazine (Golf Monthly IIRC).
I didn't really ask the reason as I thought it pretty obvious - hit it hard so's to get the power and distance, don't lose balance & control as then you won't be in charge of that power and will be more likely to hit a bad shot.
 
I was told it directly by my teaching pro, I also read it in a magazine (Golf Monthly IIRC).
I didn't really ask the reason as I thought it pretty obvious - hit it hard so's to get the power and distance, don't lose balance & control as then you won't be in charge of that power and will be more likely to hit a bad shot.

When I was having lessons a couple of years back, my pro at the time had me get to a certain point and shape (L), when he was happy with that he said "now just hit the ball as hard as you can".
 
surprising that no-one has raised the issue of 'why do higher handicappers go at their shorter irons?'

to me the whole cycle of improvement is driven by increased confidence in your ability to hit less lofted clubs consistently; it drives absolutely everything.

you stand on the tee of a 400 yd hole and feel you need 250 to get within your comfort zone of a 7 iron; even if you can see that at 210 to 230 the fairway is 3 times the size without hazards there's no way you are going to play a 3 wood (whatever) and leave yourself a simple 180 into the green from the short stuff because you simply don't have the confidence in your own ability to do this.

so many times you see someone try and hit a 7 iron when a 5 would be the 'better' option - ask them why and they will frequently reply that they can't hit their 5 iron!

so, I agree with the OP that higher handicappers tend to try to hit clubs 'harder', to hit them further, but that they have their reasons. Once they resolve the underlying issue they don't stay high handicappers for long!
 
Just had the worst range session ever...........

Down for a couple of quick buckets at lunch time, seemingly lost approx 30yds off each club all of a sudden..... quietened down, slowed down, went through all the normal checks and couldn't get it back out there, then suddenly started $hanking right. Out of 100+ balls, I cleared that 150 yd marker 3 times, and just reached it about another 3, the rest were all coming down anywhere between 120 - 140.

Good job I have a lesson on Saturday, hopefully figure out whatever it is that I have switched off. I'm sure it's something obvious but just can't figure it at the moment. Hurry up Saturday....
 
surprising that no-one has raised the issue of 'why do higher handicappers go at their shorter irons?'

to me the whole cycle of improvement is driven by increased confidence in your ability to hit less lofted clubs consistently; it drives absolutely everything.

you stand on the tee of a 400 yd hole and feel you need 250 to get within your comfort zone of a 7 iron; even if you can see that at 210 to 230 the fairway is 3 times the size without hazards there's no way you are going to play a 3 wood (whatever) and leave yourself a simple 180 into the green from the short stuff because you simply don't have the confidence in your own ability to do this.

so many times you see someone try and hit a 7 iron when a 5 would be the 'better' option - ask them why and they will frequently reply that they can't hit their 5 iron!

so, I agree with the OP that higher handicappers tend to try to hit clubs 'harder', to hit them further, but that they have their reasons. Once they resolve the underlying issue they don't stay high handicappers for long!

simple shot from 180? getting it onto the green from 180 is easier said than done. if the green is elevated then its even more difficult. region3 was asking in the 5500yards thread how many times a 28 hcp would hit the green from 100? i say that figure would drop like a stone from 180yards. this is why the high handicaper will try and get it as far down there to leave the next shot closer in even if as you say it brings hazards etc into play.
 
Just had the worst range session ever...........Good job I have a lesson on Saturday, hopefully figure out whatever it is that I have switched off. I'm sure it's something obvious but just can't figure it at the moment. Hurry up Saturday....

I have had that, I go from the unmentionable to sublime in 5 balls :D
 
Just had the worst range session ever...........

Down for a couple of quick buckets at lunch time, seemingly lost approx 30yds off each club all of a sudden..... quietened down, slowed down, went through all the normal checks and couldn't get it back out there, then suddenly started $hanking right. Out of 100+ balls, I cleared that 150 yd marker 3 times, and just reached it about another 3, the rest were all coming down anywhere between 120 - 140.

Good job I have a lesson on Saturday, hopefully figure out whatever it is that I have switched off. I'm sure it's something obvious but just can't figure it at the moment. Hurry up Saturday....

Presuming your lunch is an hour....

Could it have been the fact you knew you had to get through them fairly quick and rushed...

I Constantly do this... I seem to go even quicker through the basket the more my shots suck trying to get back to how I can hit it...
 
simple shot from 180? getting it onto the green from 180 is easier said than done. if the green is elevated then its even more difficult. region3 was asking in the 5500yards thread how many times a 28 hcp would hit the green from 100? i say that figure would drop like a stone from 180yards. this is why the high handicaper will try and get it as far down there to leave the next shot closer in even if as you say it brings hazards etc into play.

I wouldn't disgree but -
1. the % likelyhood of hitting the green with an overhit 7 iron from 150 in the hands of a higher handicapper isn't great either
2. this assumes they were at 150 on the fairway....

I think you have missed the point I was making - and it certainly wasn't focused on 28 h'cappers alone.
 
150 yards isn't a 7 iron for me unless its downhill, down hurricane on firm summer ground. Its a 6 iron and a smooth 5 into the wind. I know I'm a poofy short hitter but realistic at the same time. My GIR figure for last year was 25% which is better than 21% target SS2 sets off my handicap. I think one in 4 is reasonable as that includes three 200+ yard par 3's on my course which are tough to hit anyway and a number of long par 4's that I struggle to get up in two on.

Ironically GIR is down at 14% for 2012. I hope that is more to do with the new swing than anything else and that it will start to climb now.
 
I know I've shown it before but....
If you think you are trying to hit it too hard watch this guys swing for tempo and balance

[video=youtube;EOxhG4e1uQY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOxhG4e1uQY[/video]
 
150 yards isn't a 7 iron for me unless its downhill, down hurricane on firm summer ground. Its a 6 iron and a smooth 5 into the wind. I know I'm a poofy short hitter but realistic at the same time. My GIR figure for last year was 25% which is better than 21% target SS2 sets off my handicap. I think one in 4 is reasonable as that includes three 200+ yard par 3's on my course which are tough to hit anyway and a number of long par 4's that I struggle to get up in two on.
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I agree Homer, but in the context of this thread most players will believe they can hit a particular iron well, but not the next up; and definitely not the one after that!

Huge generalisation but at about 5 h'cap this fades away as a key decision driver.

I also think that 25% gir is way above the realistic average for your handicap, but accept that yardage and green size/nature will have a lot to do with it. We have small greens and 7000yds - so I tend to do better (on that stat) when playing away!
 
Although he is slow on the back swing he still makes it look smooth, he gives it a wack too!
 
I definitely find myself trying to hit my shots too hard, just so that I can say that my 7 iron went such and such a distance. I am working on having a better tempo and rhythm which means that the ball is going where I am hoping more often than not.
 
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