Links tips appreciated!

[Martin70]

Morning all.

I've just joined a new club which is mostly links holes and am struggling to hit the greens in regulation so wanted to ask for any tips you might have please.
On parkland courses with not much wind and grassy lies I usually hit more than my fair share but I am struggling here at the moment with the wind behind me.

I am used to taking sizeable divots so am trying to clip the ball more which is working ok into the wind but with it behind me I am either squirting it off to the right if I try my usual shot or if I hit it nicely onto the very front of the green I can't get any bite and it just runs off the back.

I've tried landing short of the green but this is often very risky with the greenside bunkers. Do I just need to get used to sweeping the ball more rather than digging into it? A bit confused at the moment but still loving it.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

Martin

 

[the smiling assassin]

i'm also a 'digger'. i tend to hit lots of 3/4 shots when playing links, which usually means clubbing up a bit.

 

[cookelad]

Club up and hit 3/4 shots and accept that you'll have to run things in and that you won't always be able to go straight at the flag!

 

[garyinderry]

pretty much have to "NOT GO STRAIGHT AT THE FLAG".


it takes me about 6 holes of flying it to the pin break the habit! by then its usually too late to score well.


learn how to run them in.

 

[davidy233]

I played yesterday without any wind blowing for first time at my course in years - felt like a much simpler/easier game.

Downwind land it short and let it run on - into the wind you can still go straight at the flag.

Love it golf should be firm and fast

 

[MadAdey]

Like people have already said, 3/4 swing and hit it easier. The harder you hit the ball the more backspin you produce, the more backspin the higher it goes and that is the last place you want it on a links course.

When I lived in Scotland I learned to use my rescue anywhere within 30 yards of the hole to just chip and run the ball onto the green, not the prettiest golf, but very effective. Also show the rough the respect it deserves, it may not look very thick, but if you try and get greedy it will bite you on the ass.

 

[patricks148]

Hit it, find it, hit it again, just enjoy playing. after a while you will get the hang of it.

 

[Martin70]

Thanks guys - time to not try and hit the green and stick it then downwind.

I can remember the Open recently (was it even last year with Westwood leading?) when the pros couldn't stop the ball so I'm not delusional and accept I need a different tactic.

Will give it a go and thanks as always for the advice

 

[garyinderry]

great tip in this months gm. I think it was thorbjorn olesen playing with tiger at the open. he couldn't believe how defensive he was off the tee. he only got aggressive when hitting into he green.


in short, find the fairway with your tee shot. it makes the hole x10 easier.


on our recent trip to siloth and southerness. I was all over the shop with the driver day 1. hacking out of the heather non stop. day 2 I didn't take the driver out till the 16th. wasn't in the gorse all day. on 16 hit an almighty hook and founds thee worst brambles ive ever seen. lost ball. lesson learnt.


there was an abandoned driver sitting on the first tee on the Saturday. some guy must of had an epiphany after his first tee shot and took no chances. lol wish I had done the same!

 

[Birchy]

great tip in this months gm. I think it was thorbjorn olesen playing with tiger at the open. he couldn't believe how defensive he was off the tee. he only got aggressive when hitting into he green.


in short, find the fairway with your tee shot. it makes the hole x10 easier.


on our recent trip to siloth and southerness. I was all over the shop with the driver day 1. hacking out of the heather non stop. day 2 I didn't take the driver out till the 16th. wasn't in the gorse all day. on 16 hit an almighty hook and founds thee worst brambles ive ever seen. lost ball. lesson learnt.


there was an abandoned driver sitting on the first tee on the Saturday. some guy must of had an epiphany after his first tee shot and took no chances. lol wish I had done the same!

On the other hand I hit driver on every hole apart from the par 3s

More than one way to skin a cat me owd mucker :thup:

 

[FairwayDodger]

On the other hand I hit driver on every hole apart from the par 3s

More than one way to skin a cat me owd mucker :thup:

Indeed. The sentiment is right enough - be sure to find the fairway. If you can do that with driver, even better!

Be honest, though, you hit driver on some of those Southerness pars 3s as well, didn't you...?

 

[Birchy]

Indeed. The sentiment is right enough - be sure to find the fairway. If you can do that with driver, even better!

Be honest, though, you hit driver on some of those Southerness pars 3s as well, didn't you...?

Yes I certainly did! 225 yards to the middle of the green into a strong wind needed everything. I tried to hit a big draw to get it there and lets just say I hit it so far left I nearly had a full gap wedge left to the green

 

[garyinderry]

I heard you beat the robot for straightness during your fitting!

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I don't believe in this 3/4 swing malarkey. I play most of my golf on links courses, when hitting into the green downwind hit a full shot with 1,2 or even 3 clubs less depending on the wind. Land it short, a full shot will have a bit more spin on it giving you more chance of holding the green. If you hit a 3/4 shot with little or no spin it is going to run through the green.

 

[patricks148]

I don't believe in this 3/4 swing malarkey. I play most of my golf on links courses, when hitting into the green downwind hit a full shot with 1,2 or even 3 clubs less depending on the wind. Land it short, a full shot will have a bit more spin on it giving you more chance of holding the green. If you hit a 3/4 shot with little or no spin it is going to run through the green.

Agree with you there. I play all my golf on links courses and hadly ever play any parkland golf. I don't play many 3/4 swings as such just vary what club i take.

 

[Mail Man]

Agree with you there. I play all my golf on links courses and hadly ever play any parkland golf. I don't play many 3/4 swings as such just vary what club i take.

I don't play enough Links golf to grasp how it should be played but can relate to what some of you guys who play it are saying. I must admit I love hitting the long drives down wind and hate the short ones back into the wind.

 

[Martin70]

I don't believe in this 3/4 swing malarkey. I play most of my golf on links courses, when hitting into the green downwind hit a full shot with 1,2 or even 3 clubs less depending on the wind. Land it short, a full shot will have a bit more spin on it giving you more chance of holding the green. If you hit a 3/4 shot with little or no spin it is going to run through the green.

This is what I decided to try last time out on Sunday.

The result was after two consecutive rounds of 98 the previous weekend I went round in 89 so thanks for all the replies I'm taking as much on board as possible :cheers:

 

[Laka]

I don't believe in this 3/4 swing malarkey. I play most of my golf on links courses, when hitting into the green downwind hit a full shot with 1,2 or even 3 clubs less depending on the wind. Land it short, a full shot will have a bit more spin on it giving you more chance of holding the green. If you hit a 3/4 shot with little or no spin it is going to run through the green.

Even if one choose 1,2,or 3 clubs less and go for a full shot....is it better to have the same trajectory and height for the ball,, or should one try to keep the ball low....

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Even if one choose 1,2,or 3 clubs less and go for a full shot....is it better to have the same trajectory and height for the ball,, or should one try to keep the ball low....

Playing downwind the ball won't climb to it's full height so the shot will always be a little bit lower. I would normally aim to land the ball short of the green and let it run on or maybe carry onto the green if the flag is at the back.

When are you coming over to Saunton?

 

[Doon frae Troon]

You have see the shot and commit to it on links courses.

Tom Watson is/was one of the greatest links players.
The tempo of his swing was nearly the same for every shot, no matter how he played it.
Like all good links players he rarely took a big divot, just bruised the turf.