Pitching distances

[HomerJSimpson]

I think if you read Tigers posts on here and the blog there is definitely a hint of overthinking the whole short game scenario. However I don't necessarily think his approach is wrong and that there is some merit in the Pelz approach with different swing lengths. My point, and its probably more pertinant to the chipping side of things is to make sure there is a solid base on which to build which I don't think there is at the moment.

From my own persepctive when I tried the Pelz clock face approach I did find I was getting to bogged down on what wedge and which length swing was best suited. Is a 7.30 PW better than a 10.30 58 degree. Will my 9 o'clock 52 degree spin more. There is a place for it and it can be built up over time.

What Tiger needs to do in my opinion is get out on 18 hole courses and experience the short game for real. By keeping it as simple as possible to begin with will give him more margin for error, more chance of success and will breed confidence. Once there is that belief in the underlying technique, then start playing about with the different options.

 

[Swinger]

I think if you read Tigers posts on here and the blog there is definitely a hint of overthinking the whole short game scenario. However I don't necessarily think his approach is wrong and that there is some merit in the Pelz approach with different swing lengths. My point, and its probably more pertinant to the chipping side of things is to make sure there is a solid base on which to build which I don't think there is at the moment.

From my own persepctive when I tried the Pelz clock face approach I did find I was getting to bogged down on what wedge and which length swing was best suited. Is a 7.30 PW better than a 10.30 58 degree. Will my 9 o'clock 52 degree spin more. There is a place for it and it can be built up over time.

What Tiger needs to do in my opinion is get out on 18 hole courses and experience the short game for real. By keeping it as simple as possible to begin with will give him more margin for error, more chance of success and will breed confidence. Once there is that belief in the underlying technique, then start playing about with the different options.

I agree it's alot to take on board but I think the whole thing is fasinating.

Being new to the game if he maybe just takes one or two ideas or things to work on for different parts of his game (without getting bogged down with all the things we have let get inside our heads over the years!!) then maybe it will allow him to have a clear constructive view of the game and what he needs to do to score.

I really am interested to see how this approach for a new player to the game turns out.

Most people starting the game have very little idea how far a good drive can go let alone a 7.30 gap wedge swing while choked down a couple of inches.

Frankly my approach to the game and most others has never had me down to scratch so why not this one.

I have never put that much effort into my wedge distances but still feel confident after years of learning the feel but if you want to get to scratch in 5 years then it will take a radical approach.

It wouldn't surprise me if Tiger was a better wedge player then me in a two years.

I'd better get practising!!

 

[AuburnWarrior]

Let me explain my rationale. My aim when I play full 18 is to leave about 120 yards to the pin. That's because my PW is my most consistent club and goes a little further than that. That way I won't miss greens short or hit the trouble that lies short of the green.

Where I miss the green my chipping will come into play. But the problem is with fat and thin shots. If I get my distance judgement, wrong take too much club or catch it thin I could end up too close on my approach. Or if I hit my approach shot fat I'll be too far away.

My experience so far is that I overhit the resulting pitch shot. At the moment my plan is to develop a repeatable 1/4 and 1/2 swing and know the distances for my three wedges. I'll then have an additional six 'clubs' in my bag. The SW only comes out if I'm in the rough as I can't hit it from tight lies.

My problem with feel is that it's developed over time. At my stage it's trial and error. Rather than spending many frustrated hours on the course I'm just trying to learn a few reference points to help me recover from poor shots. Over time this starting point will evolve into feel. At least that's the theory.

I hope this helps clarify my thinking.

Fella, all of this is fine but I'm worried that you're getting too bogged down with technicalities. You're learning the game, your first job is to get a good, reliable swing (lessons).
With regards chipping, once again, I'm concerned that you're worrying too much about the intricate parts too much. If you're looking to get to scratch then you'll need to get a big bag of balls, your wedges and spend hour upon hour chipping. When I was a junior we'd do this all the time. It's the only way you can properly refine your chipping and get a real feel for your wedges.

I've been playing for over thirty years and I've never approached a chip shot and thought "right, thirty yards, a slight hollow, stop the back swing at 10 o'clock and follow through to 2 o'clock." It doesn't work like that. It's all about feel around the green - and that includes putting.

If there was a formula for chipping then we'd all know it and we'd all be brilliant around the green - able to get up and down in two every time.

Good luck with your quest, I wish you all the best but get yourself out on the practice ground/course and start learning what works for you and what to expect from your clubs.

 

[bobmac]

I've been playing for over thirty years and I've never approached a chip shot and thought "right, thirty yards, a slight hollow, stop the back swing at 10 o'clock and follow through to 2 o'clock." It doesn't work like that. It's all about feel around the green - and that includes putting.

Interesting how different people approach the same type of shot in different ways.
AW, it may not work like that for you, but it does for lots of people. Vive le difference

 

[AuburnWarrior]

I've been playing for over thirty years and I've never approached a chip shot and thought "right, thirty yards, a slight hollow, stop the back swing at 10 o'clock and follow through to 2 o'clock." It doesn't work like that. It's all about feel around the green - and that includes putting.

Interesting how different people approach the same type of shot in different ways.
AW, it may not work like that for you, but it does for lots of people. Vive le difference

Absolutely. Chipping and putting are perhaps the most individual part of golf and whatever works for you then brilliant.

I'm interested to know how many touring pros/elite amateurs use 'formula' techniques and how many simply reply on experience and feel.

 

[Tiger]

Interesting to follow the debate. Swinger hit the nail on the head when he alluded to me taking a radical approach (although I'm not really sure how radical it is).

Most novices and high handicappers I have spoken to place a lot of emphasis on their performance off the tee. Distance and accuracy. I'm removing that pressure and will probably play no longer than a 5 iron off any tee to start with.

That puts pressure on your short game and as a result that's where my focus is. Learning the game from green to tee. With my sporting background I'm used to looking at things technically as a sound starting point. Then over time I develop a natural instinct/feel. As an example when I played cricket I used to hit an uppish cover drive. Worked with my coach on specific movements and my off side shots were a little mechanical for a while and then it became instinctive. I don't see why that approach shouldn't work in golf.

As bob suggests different things will work for different people and I'm convinced this will work for me but only time will tell. Really appreciate all the views.

 

[Swinger]

Interesting to follow the debate. Swinger hit the nail on the head when he alluded to me taking a radical approach (although I'm not really sure how radical it is).

Most novices and high handicappers I have spoken to place a lot of emphasis on their performance off the tee. Distance and accuracy. I'm removing that pressure and will probably play no longer than a 5 iron off any tee to start with.

That puts pressure on your short game and as a result that's where my focus is. Learning the game from green to tee. With my sporting background I'm used to looking at things technically as a sound starting point. Then over time I develop a natural instinct/feel. As an example when I played cricket I used to hit an uppish cover drive. Worked with my coach on specific movements and my off side shots were a little mechanical for a while and then it became instinctive. I don't see why that approach shouldn't work in golf.

As bob suggests different things will work for different people and I'm convinced this will work for me but only time will tell. Really appreciate all the views.

Considering that most people take up golf as a social game and most golfers full stop would never put as much work into the short game I think it's a radical way to introduce yourself to it.

Some people might have a few lessons and hit a few balls to begin with but I've never heard of new 28 handicappers or non handicappers talking about distance wedges.

Leaving a driver out of the bag may be common with beginners but only because they have no chance of hitting them. 3 and 5 woods are pretty common though.
Leaving the above out and an iron or two because you want to 'learn the game backwards' is very radical.

I guess learning to hit balls one handed with one leg in the air is more radical but I still think your approach is up there. Its also more sensible!

I can't wait to see where you'll be in a few years.

I will be watching with a lot of interest.

 

[Tiger]

Thanks Swinger. Getting a vote of confidence from another player, especially a low handicapper is a massive boost. I'll admit I've been tempted in the January sales with decent drivers going for £100 but I've stayed true to my conviction and hope it pans out for the best. When I took this challenge on I did think I'd need to break the mould and the more I read the more I thought my approach would give me a fighting chance.

As for the one handed leg in the air swing. I might try that in year 2

Thanks again.