Padraig

[Tiger]

Checks out houses for rent in Suffolk.
Where is Suffolk anyway?
Anywhere near Sussex?
Sounds a bit too close to Smiffy for my liking

Miles from smiffy old bean you've got Kent, London and Essex in the way!

You should stay in / near Woodbridge. You'll enjoy Woodbridge golf course, not too far from Purdis course as well. Southwold and Aldeburgh up the road for seaside and amazing fish and chips and the chance to laugh first hand at my comedy golf play.

 

[kid2]

I think the shot of the day for me with him was the lob wedge from the downslope to a pin at the far side of the green with water just beyond.....Flawless....

And he holed the putt...brill

Just a quick one for you Bob.......
What would you recommend someone off my handicap get accustomed with wedge wise.......
Should i learn to chip wit everything from a 7 iron to SW or pick one and get comfortable with it until its second nature....Also whats the highest loft you recommend a high handicapper use.

 

[bobmac]

A very good question.

Chipping and pitching is an art form.
You need to know what you do best and work at it.

1. Some people like to use all the short irons in the bag (7-LW) and
2. others will have a favourite club that they use from everywhere.

What they do it open the face to hit it higher or close it to hit it lower.
You have to decide which is comfortable for you and stick with it.
F.w.i.w.
I tend to use all the short irons when chipping and pitching but I wouldn't say the other method is wrong.
Here's a rough guide on normal speed greens
A 7 iron will fly a 1/3 and run 2/3 of the shot.
So if you have a chip of 15yds try and land the ball about 5 yds in front of you and it should run the other 10.
A PW is about 1/2 and 1/2
This method focuses your attention on where you want to land the ball with the particular club you have chosen.
A last tip I was given many years ago.........
Only hit a lofted club when you want to hit the ball over something. (bush, bunker, pond etc).
If you have a flat 20yd chip from just off the green, do not use a lob wedge.

As for your question about how much loft to use.....again it depends on the type of style you use, if you play links courses, how brave you are and how good you are.
If you play links golf I would suggest you go up to 58-60 deg.
Parkland golf 54-56 deg is plenty loft as you can open the face on the lush grassy lies.

The bottom line is if you have a lob wedge and enjoy using it with some success, stick with it.

 

[julsk10]

A question about my bunker play.

Bob, over the last few weeks every (well almost) bunker shot I have played has totally cleared the green on the far side, and beyond on occasions as I am picking the ball far to clean. Do I need a steeper downswing here as well. I have never had real problems out of the sand before. Also I vary between using a 52 and a 58 degree wedge out of bunkers. What is the ideal loft/bounce to use?
Thanks
Julian

 

[jammydodger]

A question about my bunker play.

Bob, over the last few weeks every (well almost) bunker shot I have played has totally cleared the green on the far side, and beyond on occasions as I am picking the ball far to clean. Do I need a steeper downswing here as well. I have never had real problems out of the sand before. Also I vary between using a 52 and a 58 degree wedge out of bunkers. What is the ideal loft/bounce to use?
Thanks
Julian

Just practice hitting the sand a couple of inches or so behind the ball , dont address it right on the ball. Imagine taking a £10 notes worth of sand as a divot

 

[bobmac]

Pretty much what he just said.^

If you get a chance to practice this, draw a line in the sand and practice entering the sand on the line.

The key word is "EXPLOSION"

If you hit the sand 3-5 inches behind the ball and take enough sand, the ball will float out out with all the sand and land gently on the green.
Dont forget to make a full swing and don't quit on it.
Practice.

 

[julsk10]

I have tried to do this but still seem to be lifting ball too clean, although I am probably not taking enough sand, which is why I asked about bounce, I think I might be skimming through the sand too much

 

[bobmac]

I have tried to do this but still seem to be lifting ball too clean, although I am probably not taking enough sand, which is why I asked about bounce, I think I might be skimming through the sand too much

Go in about 2-3 inches deep and it will fly out on a cushion of exploded sand and dont worry about the bounce

 

[kid2]

A very good question.

Chipping and pitching is an art form.
You need to know what you do best and work at it.

Cheers Bob ......Its all parkland i play on so i think ill get familiar with my
9i
PW 43 deg
GW 49 deg