Putting in the hard yards!

[birdieman]

Getting some reasonably serious practice in now. Season starts in 2 weeks for me but after a very long lay-off (last counting game 2nd August 2008!) I an pretty motivated this year. My back trouble of last season is gone (fingers crossed) and this fairer weather has meant I have been hitting balls about 4 evenings a week, off grass, not mats.

This evening hit balls for a solid 1hr 20 mins, all 6 and 8 irons plus a few wedges. That was about 170 balls, every shot full routine. Feeling quite tired, anyone who says golf isn't exercise wants to try that!
Having struggled badly on Tuesday I was getting some very good results today, good distance, nice trajectory, good grouping but better than that a good rhythm.
I have my usual issue regarding hip rotation (lack of) and getting too quick tempo-wise but when I get it going this combined with my stronger grip, as advised by a lesson last year, is yielding good results. If I don't make the correct hip rotation I get either a pull or sometimes a shank so I need to keep working on it.

Feeling reasonably optimistic regarding upcoming season and getting the handicap down a little.

How's everyone else's pre-season going? - good bad or indifferent?

 

[TonyN]

Mines not bad actually, I am just playing my new course over and over, treating this as my practice.

The pro pointed out my stance with the woods was slightly to wide and I am concentrating on keeping it closer and the results are better.

My putting is really bugging me, over the last couple of weeks it has been horrendous, but since the pro has cut 3 inches off the shaft and I figured a little something out, it has gotten better.

I am having another lesson on Monday that the pro wants to use to change my grip(putting), but, I may just use it as an MOT and brush up on the pitching.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Everytime I think I'm making progress I take a step back. Now developed the dreaded sh**ks when trying to hit a simple pitch about 40 yards with a 58 wedge. My pitching dramatically improved after my initial lesson but now I can't seem to hit more than two in a row well and then sh*nk the next when I don't feel I'm doing anything different. Getting close to jacking it again. I've never more frustrated than tonight. Went to the range with just a 52 and a 58 degree wedge trying to sort it. Gave every ball to start with the full rehersal and concentration. eveything low and off the hosel.

 

[SammmeBee]

170 balls!!! I can just about manage a bucket of 40....

I just find that too many balls makes me lose focus - even the missus complained I wasn't long enough (again!) down the other day (I couldn't find anyone under the bed though when I did get back)....

I actually find playing the best way to get back into the swing of things....

Chipping and pitching though is a little rusty after the year's first excursion onto the course on Wednesday...

 

[DCB]

I've been up in Aberdeen working this week. Managed two visits to the Kings Links range. Apart from the fact that this must be the coldest, bleakest range in the civilised world I managed to get some rythm going with my irons. I spent one session working through the 4,6 & 8 irons and the other mainly the 8 & Wedge. Feeling a lot happier now with the way I'm striking the ball.

First medal is in two weeks, playing next saturday which will be a warm up before the season opener. If this spring weather holds it could be quite nice.

 

[toyboy54]

Birdieman.........have been up at the range every night,don't know what it is about the place but I love being able to do my own thing in my own time there.
Slow my swing down by counting to 4,you know 1,2,3,4and hit on 4.Why is it so easy there yet on the course???
Anyway,have played a few games lately with the mates and sometimes its just like a dream..you know you are going to hit it just the way you want,where you want,using the club you want and getting the result you want!
Other times.......DOH,why am I there making a pratt of myself(in my own mind,not the mates---they are to polite
Think I'll be reading Rotella tonight,all 4/5 books(does this count as a form of practice,or needing some help with sorting out 1 brain cell??)
Anyway bring on tomorrow and the 1st medal next Sat.
Must make sure all the practise is put to use as its costing a bloody fortune......really should go to the course and use the real thing!!!

 

[USER1999]

Sammmebee, you need to get down the gym instead of the pub. You should be able to hit 100 balls plus with no problems. Keg getting in the way?

Homer, I had the sh**ks something rotten with pitch shots at Goswick, but have now eliminated them. It can be done. I was swinging to much around the body, but now I take it straight back and through, awesome. No fear at all.

 

[SammmeBee]

Sammmebee, you need to get down the gym instead of the pub. You should be able to hit 100 balls plus with no problems. Keg getting in the way?

The keg is fine thank you and Jim says hello from the pub....back on the Guinness now that St Paddy's has come and passed so I should be at my fighting weight for the season ahead.....

More than 50 balls (not pints) just makes me bored - I can hit them fine but it does me no benefit at all apart from drilling in bad habits...

 

[mono217]

My problem is no putting green at the club i need to practice it and cant.

 

[Imurg]

I started off the year in great form only to see it dip away recently. Hope I havn't peaked too soon.
But, as always, I feel its there waiting to show its head again.
The puttings gone off a bit as has the driving. Had a session at the range this afternoon and I think I've sorted that - just need to sharpen up the flatstick again.
Not playing anymore medals at my current club as I'm leaving at the end of next month. I'll just concentrate on getting everything working well to start at the new club in May.

 

[theeaglehunter]

I have hit a lot of golf balls in the two weeks (about 600) yielding some positive results. My only problem is blisters on my ungloved hand!

Like birdieman I am suffering due to my hip rotation on iron shots- I am doing it at the same speed / time as my arms and as such hooking the ball. A couple of months ago I was clearing my hips beautifully starting to turn them just before the top of my backswing and then swinging through and I need to get back to doing this. At least I no this is my problem now, it has taken me 3 weeks to figure this out!

Also like Homer my pitch shots from about 40 yards are resulting in a shank every couple of shots which is so frustrating when my long game (Driver, woods etc and irons to a slight degree) is in good condition. On my last round (Wednesday) I was 15 yards short of 2 par 5s in 2 shots leaving a routine pitch and putt for birdie. I shanked both of them. My game from 60 yards and in really is inconsistent at the moment and like Homer I can't figure where the shanks are coming from. I will stick with it though and hope my perseverance brings about positive results. I reckon that my 84 on wednesday must have included 7 shanks from short range which I can remember now, as well as 36 putts. With these showing the poor condition of my short game and how much it is affecting my scoring potential currently.

I guess there is nothing for it, I will have to put in some more hard work and get it sorted

Bring on the comps.

 

[Atticus_Finch]

Haven't done any practice other than a few rounds here and there and it shows!
My long game is pretty steady, but my chipping, pitching and putting leaves a lot to be desired and I'm definitely going to have to get some practise in there (especially chipping).
Problem is, I'm not quite sure where I'm going wrong, so going to book a couple of lessons real soon.

PS. Glad to hear your back's feeling better Birdieman.

 

[John_Findlay]

Got my first game in the sunshine yesterday with some chums around a short local course.

Quite happy with things after remembering an old swing thought which resulted in a good wedge and mid iron game for once. Was able to go for the pin confidently with my full wedges for the first time in ages and nearly flew one in on the fly on a 120 yard par 3. Tap in six inch birdie. Ended up +5 for the round after being +4 for the first 5 holes which is encouraging.

This will be my focus this year as I'm no longer a member of a "full" course, only our par 3 course. Get that short game sorted and I'll be a happy bunny. Reckon I'll spend 75% of my time practicing with a wedge or a putter in my hand. I should be trying to hole anything under 120 yards, shouldn't I?

 

[bobmac]

Homer, I had the sh**ks something rotten with pitch shots at Goswick, but have now eliminated them. It can be done. I was swinging to much around the body, but now I take it straight back and through, awesome. No fear at all.

Spot on
Take note Homer....straight back, straight through

 

[Smiffy]

I'm struggling at the moment.
One day I can go out and play really well, the next it's as if I haven't picked up a club in years.
Driving is very good, friends say they haven't seen me drive so well in years.
It's my bloody iron play, it's all over the place.
Been having lessons trying to get me hitting the ball crisper, and concentrating on my take away and weight transfer and been having reasonable success on the range. But when I try to emulate it on the course it all goes tits up. It's bloody frustrating when you collar a drive down the middle and outdrive your playing partners and then lose the bloody hole because you can't even hit a 7 iron properly....

 

[bobmac]

Smiffy, is it the contact or the direction you are having problems with in your irons?

 

[Smiffy]

Smiffy, is it the contact or the direction you are having problems with in your irons?

Contact Bob.
I am catching so many shots fat, it's unbelievable. My divots are going straight but I'm hitting the deck too far behind the ball.
I've tried moving the ball further forward in my stance on the recommendation of a friend, and was getting great results (39 points the other week and crisp striking)...another friend said the ball was too far forward in my stance and that's why I was fatting it!
I am standing over the ball (with an iron in my hand) not knowing what the feck is going to happen. But as I say, my drives are going superbly, straight as an arrow and longer than I've ever hit them even 20 years ago.
I've got a great set of irons but can't fecking use them at the moment.

 

[bobmac]

The good news is you haven't lost your swing altogether. Don't panic!!!
If you are striking the ball ok on the range but not on the course, without seeing your swing, I would suggest that you are swinging faster on the course with perhaps too may swing thoughts.
Try having the ball in the centre of your stance with a 7 iron but lean the shaft an inch towards the target.
Then, with a smooth swing try hitting it only about 130 yds
I would also suggest you have an on course lesson with your pro
HTH

 

[birdieman]

Homer,
I get similar problems from time to time with short wedge shots, can absolutely destroy confidence but on top of what Dodger and Bobmac say about straight back (which I agree with fully) I think taking it straight back gives your swing width and makes you use shoulders rather than arms to turn which stops you leaning in towards the ball on the downswing which can cause shanks. If you dont do this the clubhead is still on an in to out path coming from behind you when contact is made, often hosel first.

I also make conscious effort to get my back/front balance good by sticking my 'erse oot' to stop that subconscious forward tilt on the downswing. Make sure you can get toes and heel off the ground at address.

Are you playing these shots with an open stance? Having the open stance means hips are easily cleared on downswing giving yourself room to hit the ball - I know you know this but you might be slipping back to a regular stance as your mind gets all in a muddle when shanks occur.

As a general point I get amazed that after many years playing golf I can still think I'm aiming at target, then place a pole across front of toes and find myself aiming 20 yards left!

Finally I think a little aggression is needed, if you shank you get scared and hold off or 'quit on it' which normally only makes things worse.

 

[TWM]

eveything low and off the hosel.

Homer, that's my problem too. I am trying to cure it by feeling the clubhead passing through the ball. This works most of the time but the cure will come when I am more relaxed.