Light Bulb Moment

[Deleted member 16999]

Had the chance for an extra game today so phoned the Club and asked if there was any spare slots in the comp, yes at 1230,
So tipped up and found myself playing with, probably, the best player at the Club who is off 1 and 2 others off 5 and 7, felt slightly intimidated but old enough and ugly enough to not let it get to me, anyway.
I realise there is no easy part of the game and you need to be good at all aspects, but watching these 3 close up was very enjoyable, obviously all 3 were good players and their Handicaps reflected that, however, the difference between the 2 off 5 and 7 and the lad off 1 was another level.
The odd time any of them missed the fairway they all seem to have the ability to make sure the next one counted by either hitting the green or getting into position for the third on a Par 5, again the difference in the lad off 1 was, he put his ball into birdie positions and Pars were gimmees, the other 2 played some great recoveries but were maybe twice the distance to the flag.
This was the lightbulb moment for me, it was the accuracy of the shot into the green, I get this might be obvious to some and probably it is what we all try to do, but to have the ability time after time is the difference.
I hit 70% of Fairways today but poor shots into the green had me scrambling to make Pars or Bogeys, had the distance into the greens just not consistent accuracy.
So this is the area I will devote the majority of my practise time for the forseable future(not neglecting other areas)
My big miss is the ball going left of target, don't really want to aim right as sometimes it stays right any pointers would be much appreciatted.

 

[snell]

Had the chance for an extra game today so phoned the Club and asked if there was any spare slots in the comp, yes at 1230,
So tipped up and found myself playing with, probably, the best player at the Club who is off 1 and 2 others off 5 and 7, felt slightly intimidated but old enough and ugly enough to not let it get to me, anyway.
I realise there is no easy part of the game and you need to be good at all aspects, but watching these 3 close up was very enjoyable, obviously all 3 were good players and their Handicaps reflected that, however, the difference between the 2 off 5 and 7 and the lad off 1 was another level.
The odd time any of them missed the fairway they all seem to have the ability to make sure the next one counted by either hitting the green or getting into position for the third on a Par 5, again the difference in the lad off 1 was, he put his ball into birdie positions and Pars were gimmees, the other 2 played some great recoveries but were maybe twice the distance to the flag.
This was the lightbulb moment for me, it was the accuracy of the shot into the green, I get this might be obvious to some and probably it is what we all try to do, but to have the ability time after time is the difference.
I hit 70% of Fairways today but poor shots into the green had me scrambling to make Pars or Bogeys, had the distance into the greens just not consistent accuracy.
So this is the area I will devote the majority of my practise time for the forseable future(not neglecting other areas)
My big miss is the ball going left of target, don't really want to aim right as sometimes it stays right any pointers would be much appreciatted.

The 1 handicapper wasn't Walton was it??

 

[Deleted member 16999]

The 1 handicapper wasn't Walton was it??

No mate, Grant is down to 1 as well now. Craig is another level as well isn't he?

 

[snell]

No mate, Grant is down to 1 as well now. Craig is another level as well isn't he?

Yeah he's a freak haha. Best player I've seen at club level!

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Yeah he's a freak haha. Best player I've seen at club level!

It's good to have him back at the club😃

 

[snell]

I bet

It's a rare occurrence for me, but I love playing with cat 1 players. It's intimidating at first. But awesome to watch, I'm still amazed every time I see a club golfer get back spin!

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I bet

It's a rare occurrence for me, but I love playing with cat 1 players. It's intimidating at first. But awesome to watch, I'm still amazed every time I see a club golfer get back spin!

Agreed mate, today was really good, the three of them must have 8 or Birdies between them, Grant getting 4.

 

[snell]

Agreed mate, today was really good, the three of them must have 8 or Birdies between them, Grant getting 4.

Unreal it's a different game. I got 2 birdies last week in one round and I'm still raving haha

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Unreal it's a different game. I got 2 birdies last week in one round and I'm still raving haha

2 take me a month!!!😃

 

[3565]

There's a statistics book called Every Shot Counts by Mark Broadie which over 12 yr period collected millions of shots from the PGA tour of the top 40 players within that time frame. It's all about shots gained instead of the normal fir gir ppr pir as they tell you nothing really. The data says that on average putting attributes 15% to your overall score and when you consider that you take on average between 30-32 putts a round, it asks the question which part of the game then is most influential and counts most for our scoring. You'd think short game if it wasn't putting but all that highlights is if your short game is the highest attribute then your not good at your approach play to the greens? And this is what you've discovered today that their approach play was counting more.

The book is actually an interesting read and obviously with you using game golf and getting statistics it might be worth you getting?

 

[the_coach]

at this level of the game, or better, ain't no doubt the single most important part of a 'scoring' under par round -making birds - are approach distances to the pin with the shorter scoring clubs & wedges, the most important stat within GIR

Tour putting stats, & elite players putting at 10' & under to even 15' & over highlight just how important this area of the game is for sure
makes a huge difference to shooting some under par to just hovering around at par

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Cheers 3565 and Coach, will certainly have a look at the book, I think frustratingly yesterday was the puttting myself in a good place and not taking advantage, a few times I went for the green and pulled it left, so to compensate aimed a little more right and it stayed right, I think standing over the ball, grip, alignment etc is OK, but I'm doing something wrong.
Time for a lesson!

 

[IanM]

The point about focusing on the area giving most impact is a good one.

Looking at the local range...it's full of folk bashing drivers!

 

[MashieNiblick]

I hit 70% of Fairways today but poor shots into the green had me scrambling to make Pars or Bogeys, had the distance into the greens just not consistent accuracy. So this is the area I will devote the majority of my practise time for the forseable future(not neglecting other areas)

Interesting thread. I think there are studies showing that GIR is the most crucial element to shooting lower scores. Got me thinking about some advice the _coach gave me last year. My course has a lot of long 4's and I was struggling to reach them and my short game wasn't good enough to get me the pars I needed on those holes to improve my scores.

In addition to recommending practising my short game, the_coach said

"One area I'd really look seriously at given what you've said about course & circumstances, would really look at whether couple more hybrids in the bag, perhaps 5 metal might reap more benefits for you than the long irons.

...

So I'd really look at what clubs give you the best results on average for these longer shots into greens you have to contend with. Then I'd be taking time with these to be more consistently accurate with them, not searching for anymore distance, just upping the chances of more GIR."
​

As a result I dropped my 3 wood (was only using it on tee shots) my 4i and my lob wedge and swapped them for a 7 wood, 2h and 4h. Suddenly, with my 5w as well, I had loads more easy to hit options for those 170-210 yard shots. Add to that a new driver and a lesson with my pro which gave me an extra 10 yards off the tee and as s result my GIR went from 27% to 35%, and I had my best year for ages winning 2 trophies and dropping from 12 to 9 h/cap.

Not sure that I ever publicly said it but if not, big thank you to the_coach for his advice. :thup:

 

[ScienceBoy]

The point about focusing on the area giving most impact is a good one.

Looking at the local range...it's full of folk bashing drivers!

Aww but look how much fun they are having!!!

I am in the group who practices the shorter clubs more, mostly as I the longest hole at my course is 147 yards...

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Interesting thread. I think there are studies showing that GIR is the most crucial element to shooting lower scores. Got me thinking about some advice the _coach gave me last year. My course has a lot of long 4's and I was struggling to reach them and my short game wasn't good enough to get me the pars I needed on those holes to improve my scores.

In addition to recommending practising my short game, the_coach said

"One area I'd really look seriously at given what you've said about course & circumstances, would really look at whether couple more hybrids in the bag, perhaps 5 metal might reap more benefits for you than the long irons.

...

So I'd really look at what clubs give you the best results on average for these longer shots into greens you have to contend with. Then I'd be taking time with these to be more consistently accurate with them, not searching for anymore distance, just upping the chances of more GIR."
​

As a result I dropped my 3 wood (was only using it on tee shots) my 4i and my lob wedge and swapped them for a 7 wood, 2h and 4h. Suddenly, with my 5w as well, I had loads more easy to hit options for those 170-210 yard shots. As result my GIR went from 27% to 35% and I had my best year for ages winning 2 trophies and dropping from 12 to 9 h/cap.

Not sure that I ever publicly said it but if not, big thank you to the_coach for his advice. :thup:

Funnily enough using Game Golf this year I have done just that, I carry 6-PW and below is Driver, 3 Wood, 2H 4H 5H and you are correct it has helped as one of the early stats i picked up on was that nearly 50% of my shots in to the green were coming up short.
Not wanting to get to caught up in stats my score yesterday was 86 against a Par of 70 and handicap of 14, so 2 over, 69% FIR, 39% FIR and 34 putts, so stats wise decent and I felt I played better than 2 over.
Inside 100 yds for all lie types I was 100% for 3 shots to within 15 yards, but outside 100 yards 46% were within 15yds, 38% came up short and 23% missed left 0% missed right or long (adds up to 107% so bit confused on that), thats compare to the last 18 months were my stats are 31% were within 15yds, 41% came up short and 22% missed left 13% missed right or long.

Will definitely be looking at a lesson.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I was thinking about this yesterday evening. I played 11 holes by myself and reflected on the fact that on 8 of the holes I had very eminently makeable birdie putts.

Thinking on this I concluded the obvious - that this cannot be unconnected with the fact that I have corrected my stance alignment - I was pointing way to far right as I used to draw the ball (too much as it happens) - and with that and my swing change that seems to enable me to hit the ball higher, straighter and with more consistent length (draws have always been difficult for me to control length).

Add to that - I have always been a conservative 'just get it on the green' sort of player with my approach shots - but maybe that was maybe because of lack of consistency in my approach shots. Yesterday evening I was actually thinking of where the flag was, and being careful about my club and shot selection for a shot to the flag. Won't work nearly as good next time out I am sure - but it was telling.

 

[Wayman]

Where you thinking of going for a lesson Paul?

 

[pbrown7582]

those GG stats point to coming short more of an issue than the left ball? Now that could just be indifferent strike or just under clubbing?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

those GG stats point to coming short more of an issue than the left ball? Now that could just be indifferent strike or just under clubbing?

All aspects need improving but have improved on those stats from 31% to 46% outside 100yds within 15yds plus less short and no misses right, what i don't want to do is start aiming off and ingraining a bad habit.