Practise - any advice from you low handicappers pls.

[Macster]

I had very high hopes in 2008 to get down from the 12 H/C I have been for the last few years, to Single figures, or so I hoped.
However, despite some great Golf in Social play & summer evening knocks, my Medal performances were disapointing to say the least, and it was only 1 particularly good day in an Open held at my own club that brought me down to 11, where I am now.

So, a result for the year of sorts.

Question is, if I am really going to ever get to Singles this year, just how to go about it ?
Couple of lessons on Short Game & then hour after hour on the practise green, chipping & putting ?

Couple of nights/week down at the Driving Range until Spring has sprung ?

Or, dont get wrapped up into all that stuff, in the knowledge that Single figures would possibly make me enjoy the game less, more pressure etc, and just relax and play the game as it comes, which for the most part to me, is always reasonable.

How would you approach it from here ??

 

[Leftie]

Look at your stats to see what areas of your game need improvement.

Playing off 11 I assume that you are reasonably ok off the tee. If you have a practice ground available, concentrate on mid to short irons off grass (rather than off mats at the range) to improve hitting greens in regulation (or getting close). Also concentrate on pitching/chipping from 100, 80, 60, 40 and 20 yds using the same wedge but with different length backswings. This will develop a great feel for the shot.

My GIR stats are fairly poor as I don't have the length of some of the young guns on this forum but if my short game is reasonably on form I am looking for at least 4 to 6 single puts a round. In the last year I have had several rounds where I have had 8 or 9 single putts due to chipping/pitching close. Over the last 25 rounds, my average putts per hole if I have hit the green in regulation is 2.05 and where I have missed the green, it is an average of 1.68.

Concentrate on the short game practice - that's where the shots really count. Don't forget, on the scorecard it doesn't differentiate between a 300 yd drive or a 6 inch putt.

 

[birdieman]

Tough one Chris, I'm category 1 (just). For me it is 2 things -

1. Straight off the tee (length far less important). If you ain't straight you're not going to score, simple as. If that means playing 3 wood or hybrid off some tees so be it. It's a tough call but once you start putting driver away, you'll likely score better.

2. Pitching/Chipping (100 yards and in). I have never been a very good mid or long iron player (thats what stops me getting lower I believe) but I normally scramble well and have a good wedge game and am decent at chips and short pitches. All this does is save you pars but do that 4 or 5 times a game and you're into single figures really. Saving shots to par after missing GIR's is a real momentum builder too.
This is where serious practice time pays off and what I spend 85%+ of practice time on covering all distances in headwinds, tailwinds, still conditions and crosswinds etc. I'm lucky I have access to a sports field to play which catches all weather so can do this.

I've got to say playing short irons off range mats is nothing like the real thing. I would endeavour to practice on grass whenever possible.

Hope that helps.

 

[Leftie]

Singing from the same hymn sheet BM

 

[brendy]

1. Straight off the tee (length far less important). If you ain't straight you're not going to score, simple as. If that means playing 3 wood or hybrid off some tees so be it.

I agree with BMs statement above, its not about how long but how many. If you can keep it on the fairway, even the semi you have a far better chance of stopping the ball on the green.
Secondly, course management plays a huge role, its not about ripping out flags for birdies. If you can give yourself a good chance of a par then the odd birdie will crop up and will offset a bogey somewhere else on the round.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

This morning I played a 2 handicapper in the winter league.

Generally he was no better than me - tee to green or short game.

But when a hole went wrong for me it did so badly, for him not so bad.

This was also the case when I had a playing lesson with an academy pro at the Belfry. I hit the same distance and was as good when we hit decent shots. But, when it went wrong for him he was 10 yards from the fairway, I was 25!

I think the better players make fewer big mistakes as they think better and practice more!

 

[birdieman]

Following on from Brendy and GileMots posts re course management-

Learn to take your medicine!

If you hit it in a silly place, which we all do, get the ball back in play in as simple a way as possible, even a 10 yard sideways chip, and don't look to move it miles up the fairway. It's only one shot and a 5 on the card is better than a 7.
Sounds daft but so many average ability golfers try way too ambitious recovery shots from rough, usually in a rage, then run up a 7 or 8 and the head goes down, woe is me etc etc = scorecard gone.

 

[Herbie]

I dont follow the focus on Driving the way others do, its about getting from A to B with the minimum number of shots.

Going off the tee with a driver or 3 wood for example, dont worry about it as though its your most important shot, because it isnt.

My driving compared to most single figure players I know is frankly awful but it is rarely so wayward as to leave me in serious trouble, if ever I am in trouble,a good % golf strategy is what you need.

I have played rounds where I have missed every fairway out there yet still shot my h/c or better.

If you hit a drive 230 to 250 into the light rough and still have a second shot, your first was a good one in my book!

Greater importance should be placed on your approach shots, make sure you avoid trying to do more than you should, make sure you avoid hazards.

make sure your short game/chipping/putting is well practiced.

I know a lot of golfers who talk about short game yet all their focus is on hitting a long straight drive, good if you can but not needed to get a single figure h/c.

Have a look at where you lose most of your shots, I will wager as with most golfers it will be in your strategy and your short game more than anything, if you are playing off 11 now, dont spend too much time messing with or focussing on driver, focus on your short game and your golfing brain.

Most golfers think they lose out with their driving when they are not, unless you have a real driving problem that sees you going OOB from the tee a lot or frequently into the unplayable rough a lot, then driving for an 11 h/capper isnt a problem.

Think about your last few rounds and where the bulk of shots were lost, thats teh area to focus, but with the awareness that a shorter drive into the light rough leaving you with a longer shot to the green is not always the reason you will lose a shot, you have to analyse how good or bad you hit that following shot.

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
I find that when i play with lower handicappers the place where they are better than me is from 100 yards in that is where i think i will improve my scores you have to play a hole really badly to not be within 100 after 2 shots so its how often you can par or make bogey.If you break it down To play to single figures on a par 72 course if u average 2 birdies 7 pars and 9 bogies in a round u play to 7 my point being if your short game is good you shouldn't make too many bogies and not many doubles.

 

[birdieman]

My driving compared to most single figure players I know is frankly awful but it is rarely so wayward as to leave me in serious trouble.

I have played rounds where I have missed every fairway out there yet still shot my h/c or better.

Interesting comments Herb. Sounds
to me like there is no rough in Lincolshire?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think there is a lot of sound advice on here already. I would urge you to record your stats (strokesaver 2 being the best I have found for doing that) so that you can look back over time and see wehere the peaks and troughs are and what areas are regular problems.

The old drive for show putt for dough is an oldie but a goodie. Its all about getting it in the hole so if you can get is close when you miss a green and roll in a few good birdie putts when you hit a green in regulation you will score well. In medal play learn to plot your way round a course. Even low handicappers have shots and it is how you use these that really make a difference. If a hole is 450 yards and a low SI is it really in your game to get there EVERY time in 2. Aim for a solid drive and then leave your 2nd in a position you feel comfortable with (that may be a PW from 100 yards or even an 8 from 130) and then attack the green from there.

You will hit bad shots. Everyone does. Take your medicine and don't try and be a hero. Even if you drop a silly shot to par on a hole don't try and chase it back by being gung-ho and attacking pins as that is a sure way to fritter more shots.

The key elements to lower handicaps are a sound short game, good putting stroke and a swing you are confident with and can repeat under pressure. You might want to look at the mental side (Bor Rotella etc) but that may be taking things too far too quickly. My advice would be to get an MOT on your full swing from your pro (this time of year is ideal to make any swing changes) and then get a lesson or two and get the short game working.

 

[SammmeBee]

Find out how far you hit each of your clubs and then get a SkyCaddie to help you round the course.....or vice versa....

 

[Macster]

Thx fella's, well, using yesterdays game as a benchmark, which wasnt perhaps the best conditions but still good for winter golf, (green's pretty hard/frozen):

Front 9. Fairways Hit 71.4% GIR 66.7% but 19 Putts.
Back 9 Fairways Hit 33.3% GIR 11.1% 19 Putts.

I'm usually 'ok' at getting up and down, but yesterday, I failed in 7 attempts.


I think I'm going to be spending a lot of time with my Wedges and Putter when the weather allows over the next few months then....

 

[Herbie]

My driving compared to most single figure players I know is frankly awful but it is rarely so wayward as to leave me in serious trouble.

I have played rounds where I have missed every fairway out there yet still shot my h/c or better.

Interesting comments Herb. Sounds
to me like there is no rough in Lincolshire?

Ha ha, try telling that to Lincolnshires golfers

 

[ademac]

Would you like any advice from someone without a handicap?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

ChrisMc

Not sure if you use anything to record your stats but if you put your numbers into scoresaver2 it gives you a target based on your handicap so will give you an idea of how those numbers stack up. The clearest thing there is 38 putts which is too high followed by GIR although your front nine figure was actually very impressive (not sure what happened on the back 9 though)

I actually enjoy short game practice even though I didn't spend enough attention to it last year. I need a chipping lesson as mentally my confidence is shot but once I have the basics right I love hitting different shots with say a 56 degree wedge and mucking about with ball position and opening or closing the face and seeing how the ball reacts.

 

[ademac]

13.7! I thought he said low handicappers!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I was single figures and an assistant pro once (OK Maggie was still in power and I was only 17) and I will never be that low again but I felt I had a right.

 

[USER1999]

Don't practice, it is pointless, you are either good, or not. You've got talent, or not, it can't be taught, or learnt, you are what you are. Just accept it, and enjoy it at what ever level you are at. Golf is meant to be fun.



Anyone got a light for the flame thrower.

 

[ademac]

you do have a right! I'm only having a laugh mate! you seem like a nice bloke so thats why I chose your h/c because I kind of knew you could take the joke!(I hope). I just felt a bit left out of the thread(jealousy I think!).