Consistency, but still not good enough!

[Bobmysterkaymer]

3 out of my last four rounds I've scored 91 (on a 19 handicap) which is par 72 for my course. I know I'm capable of a knocking at least 6 shots off this but keep struggling mainly from 50ish yards off green. At my club generally -2/-4 would win each week so I'm only 2/4 shots off winning each week which makes it even more frustrating. Anyone any tips? Oh yeah I've never had a lesson and have been playing for 3 years with a six year gap without playing. I don't want to go down the lesson route just yet.

 

[bobmac]

but keep struggling mainly from 50ish yards off green.

Anyone any tips? Oh yeah I've never had a lesson


I don't want to go down the lesson route just yet.

Why not?

If you struggle from 50 yards in, have a lesson NOW.

 

[ScienceBoy]

If you struggle from 50 yards in, have a lesson NOW.

I did, within two weeks I came second in the club championship nett. I put the improvement of about 4 shots on my normal game down to knowing how far I hit a full, 3/4 and half club from a 9 iron down.

Its now integral to how I approach greens!

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Why would you not want a lesson? You can't go round claiming to be frustrated and do nothing about it, that's not frustration, it's stupidity

 

[Bobmysterkaymer]

I know I should have a lesson, but I'm comfortable and don't want to change grip and worried of getting worse. I know it sounds lame, but if I could keep The same setup and just tweak the short game I'd be happy, also finding a decent pro is a worry.

 

[Matty]

From 50 yards in you've got all sorts of challenges and options.

At that distance the greens are protected by bunkers and water hazards. The pin could be tight to the edge of the green or near a bank on the green. It could be set way back so you've loads of green to play with too.

You may need to loft the ball high so it lands and stops, or maybe a chip and run would be a better option.

Overall, from 50 yards in it's all about practice but only after you've got the technique nailed - and that's where a lesson will help. Get some pitching and chipping lessons, make sure your technique is sound and then practice and watch the score tumble.

 

[bobmac]

I know I should have a lesson, but I'm comfortable and don't want to change grip and worried of getting worse. I know it sounds lame, but if I could keep The same setup and just tweak the short game I'd be happy, also finding a decent pro is a worry.

He/she woudn't touch your long game.
The pro would watch you hit some 50 yrd shots then suggest ways of improving the technique.
One of the easiest shots in golf.

 

[Region3]

If you're no good from 50 yards and don't want a lesson you have 2 choices.

1. Find somewhere to practice and measure out 50yds. Find a club and swing that consistently hits that distance.

2. Don't leave yourself 50yds.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If you don't have a lesson to learn how to deal with these shots then in my opinion you are handicapping yourself (no pun intended). There are lots of variations you can use to control the ball and get close enough to set up birdie chances or par saves. It is one of my stronger elements and something I've put a lot of time into.

A good pro will not do anything to your long game or make any radical swing changes in order for you to execute the 50 yards shot so I really don't see what the issue is

 

[rosecott]

3 out of my last four rounds I've scored 91 (on a 19 handicap) which is par 72 for my course. I know I'm capable of a knocking at least 6 shots off this but keep struggling mainly from 50ish yards off green. At my club generally -2/-4 would win each week so I'm only 2/4 shots off winning each week which makes it even more frustrating. Anyone any tips? Oh yeah I've never had a lesson and have been playing for 3 years with a six year gap without playing. I don't want to go down the lesson route just yet.

What's your SSS? Depressing it might be but you need to gauge your scores against SSS not par.

 

[Piece]

To offer sensible advice, away from having a lesson, how do you struggle from 50 yards? Distance control or fat/thinning? If it's the former, you need to take your two wedges and hit full, three quarter and half shots time after time to know your distance. If the latter, then you must have a lesson.

 

[bluetoon]

50yards from thick rough or tight links fairways are very tough shots and will test the best golfers, so dont beat yourself up to much. The trick here is to leave yourself futher back with a full shot or get closer to the green. ie better course management and more control of your long/mid irons.

However if the shot is from a nice lie you should be looking to get reasonably close to the flag. A nice smooth sandwedge will do the trick. Weight on left side, not to big a backswing, commit to the shot and nice big follow through. Experiment with a slight open stance.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I know I should have a lesson, but I'm comfortable and don't want to change grip and worried of getting worse. I know it sounds lame, but if I could keep The same setup and just tweak the short game I'd be happy, also finding a decent pro is a worry.

My pro didn't do anything as I specified the lesson to be on 120 yards and in, it ended up being more of an 80 yards and in lesson on how to hit half shots.

Any decent pro will stick to what you ask for.

 

[Bash]

I used to be really weak when 60 yards or less from the green. 60 to 120 yards away my game was (comparitively) strong as I was confident in playing full shots with my clubs over those distances (60, 56, 52, PW, 9iron), but I couldn't play the short game. Because of this I made sure I was going to leave my approach shot at least 60 yards short rather than risk getting 30 yards from the green. At that time it was the better choice for me and I was playing sensible 'percentage golf' with the shots I was capable of playing.
The end of last year I had a lesson with our club pro and in one lesson he covered both the shorter (less than 60 yard) pitching shots and chip and run shots onto the green. This lesson has made the biggest improvement to my scores and I'd recommend lessons in this area to anyone. The best news was it didn't mess up the rest of my game at all.. It's very basic stuff which is easy to practice.
Since that lesson I've taken 6 shots off my handicap.
Get a lesson on your short game matey. It's the best 25 quid you'll spend