Practice - how do you ??

[Macster]

I'm determined to put in much more short game practise in an effort to finally reach single figures, which begs a few questions......

I'm sure my Club is no different from most others in NOT allowing practise 'on the course', and understandably so, people knocking in wedge after wedge to greens is not conducive to perfect greens after all.

But, how are you to finely tune a short game on a practise green that bears no resemblance to most of the 18 holes on the course ?
Our practise green is completely flat, next to the 1st Tee, and even the apron is flat too.
We also have a 'green' on our rather small practise ground, but this is rather rough to say the least, and is more for wedges in to it than anything else.

Most of our real greens are not only quite contoured with subtle slopes, but a lot have banks around them, and imagination from these is the key to scoring well if you miss the green.

What I would like to do is take my 60* Vokey and perhaps an 8iron, or maybe others on another night, and walk around half a dozen holes in the evening, throwing balls greenside and playing perhaps 6/8 shots onto each green.
Now I dont take divots greenside, and even with a 60* tend to slide under the ball leaving hardly a trace, so not only would this not be detrimental to the course, it would be fantastic short game practise.

But of course, we arent allowed to do that. Are you on your course ?

Just how are we supposed to get short game skills like Phil Mick when we cant practise on the ground that matters ?

 

[TonyN]

Got to say I am very fortunate to have a two tier chipping green with greenside bunker. Aswell as a wedge strip between two holes with a practice green.

We also Have a practice green with varying slopes too.

If I wanted, i could chuck a few balls down on the course aswell, most people do of an evening if its quiet!

Not quite sure how you would get round it to be fair, kind of tough luck, I feel for you as I love my short game practice!

 

[bobmac]

Is there a golf course near you with a good practice area you could use?

 

[slugger]

our course - Swanston - has a 9 hole par 3 course with holes from 80 - 150ish yds long. all top spec greens as well. we also have a practice green with mats at varying distances, 2 other putting greens and a driving range. Lots of places to practice... shame i never get the time!

 

[Twire]

I'm a bit spoilt at my place. We have a two tier chipping green next to the first tee, which always is in good nick. We have a large putting green, 2 driving ranges (no cover, use your own balls), practice bunker, and a par 3 hole for practice. There's also 4 par 3 holes set out in one of the fields out the back, but the greens are rubish at the moment.

With all that at my disposal, i'm just wondering why I don't practice enough........ahhhhh, young family thats why.

 

[HartleyHare]

next time you're having a "friendly" knock at your place why don't you lay up short intentionally.
you could even try to put yourself in certain areas around the greens that you would like to hit from?
just a thought.

 

[Faldo_Fan]

Is it not worth approaching your clubs commitee and asking if they can provide a better chipping facility?

We as a group moaned to various members of the commitee until something was done about it. Our practice facilities are far better now.

 

[boycey1985]

theres a couple of courses around my area that do a playing lesson over about 5 holes costs bout 30 pound for an hour, iam sure there would be a club near you that did the same.

 

[mono217]

We arnt allowed to practice on course but in the evening we wait till everyone has gone and practice.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We have a very good practice bunker, some holes just cut of the grass to similate a green for chipping but totally useless and a very good practice ground to hit off grass.

The club in its wisdom have recently allowed chipping onto the putting green. The only downside is that its off a mat and you can only play pitch and runs and not lofted approaches but still better than nothing. the putting green itself has lots of borrows and is a fair reflection of the pace of the real greens

 

[roccokj]

I'm fortunate at my club, we are allowed to practice on the course and in fact the assistant professionals are almost forcing me to! I never usually see anybody practicing out on the course anyway. One thing never to forget though is repair pitch-marks and divots!