I was once a good player

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

And you have hit the nail on the head there, his short game is the part he needs to tighten up. Last week we played a par 5, he bombed a drive 360 yds left a wedge to the green and walked off with a 6. I have told him he has learnt to hit the ball and he does that very well but now he needs to learn how to play.

You know how to play - but re my earlier post on this - do you know whether the swing that got you to 6 had any significant flaws in it. Mine did - and I rather guessed it did at the time, but as it was grooved and working well I didn't do anything to address any of the issues I was aware of.

Wind the clock forward and after an 8 yr lay-off I just couldn't find the groove well enough - occasionally in it and scoring well - but mostly dropping out of it with sometimes horrid results and scores. I persisted for 6-7 yrs trying to get it back - but it wasn't going to happen and I gradually started introducing swing features I thought would work - when in fact they did the opposite and things got (much) worse. So earlier this year I admitted defeat - put my 6 handicap arrogance aside. Now getting lessons and though swing feels really odd - things seem to be stabilising. You may have to bite that same bullet. I'd say do it sooner rather than later - don't waste 6 yrs as I did.

 

[Steve698]

How old is he? I was similar when I was around 16. Only cared about distance and backspin. Now I am (significantly) older I have worked out that only the score matters, nothing else. What does he play off?

He is 24 years old. He doesn't have an official handicap as he just finished uni but he plays to about 7/8 but with his ball striking ability I think with some work on the short game/putting no reason he can't be scratch.

 

[Steve698]

You know how to play - but re my earlier post on this - do you know whether the swing that got you to 6 had any significant flaws in it. Mine did - and I rather guessed it did at the time, but as it was grooved and working well I didn't do anything to address any of the issues I was aware of.

Wind the clock forward and after an 8 yr lay-off I just couldn't find the groove well enough - occasionally in it and scoring well - but mostly dropping out of it with sometimes horrid results and scores. I persisted for 6-7 yrs trying to get it back - but it wasn't going to happen and I gradually started introducing swing features I thought would work - when in fact they did the opposite and things got (much) worse. So earlier this year I admitted defeat - put my 6 handicap arrogance aside. Now getting lessons and though swing feels really odd - things seem to be stabilising. You may have to bite that same bullet. I'd say do it sooner rather than later - don't waste 6 yrs as I did.

May just have to bite down hard.

 

[delc]

When I got fitted for my new irons I wanted to get the ball going lower. The guys advice was stronger lofts. As a bigger hitter this would have left me one club within 150 yards. Distance is great but at the 120 and in mark it can start to hinder you. Although it does help you to learn some course management. I hope your son has a good short game! It's frustrating being able to do that and not capitalise on it. I know that too well!

Exactly the point I was trying to make in the stronger lofts debate! My issue with the Speedblades is that I have some big distance gaps between the shorter irons.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Welcome to the forum. How much are you looking to rekindle the glory days or would you be happy playing around an arbitary 10-12 if you aren't investing too much time to practice these days. More forgiving clubs will help but surely a few refresher lessons, especially around the short game and maybe one/two on the long swing will get you playing functional golf again

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Welcome to the forum. How much are you looking to rekindle the glory days or would you be happy playing around an arbitary 10-12 if you aren't investing too much time to practice these days. More forgiving clubs will help but surely a few refresher lessons, especially around the short game and maybe one/two on the long swing will get you playing functional golf again

The route I've gone down - and it's got me 10-12 functional again. 2-3 more between now and next April are in order and hopefully with a bit of work by myself on the side help get to 8-9 next year.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The route I've gone down - and it's got me 10-12 functional again. 2-3 more between now and next April are in order and hopefully with a bit of work by myself on the side help get to 8-9 next year.

Go for it. Sure you'll get there.