Short game lesson today.

[DelB]

Had a one hour short game lesson this morning and it was, without doubt, money very well spent. Concentrated on chipping from various lies around the green, pitching from 30, 45 and 60 yards and then my nemesis, bunkers!!

The Pro felt my technique was very solid, but reckoned I just need to commit to shots as sometimes I tense up and thin them through the green at knee height at 80mph!

I was then instructed to pitch to the apron of the green, ignoring the flag, from 30, 45 and 60 yards, just so he could get a feel for my distance control. Again, was very pleasantly surprised to pass this test with flying colours!

Onto bunkers and I must admit that the reason I've always struggled in bunkers is that I don't actually know what I'm trying to do. He got me to set up square to the target line, separate my hands in a baseball style grip, open the clubface to activate the bounce and then flick underneath the ball, leaving the clubface open on the follow through. My first few attempts got the ball out, but only just! Last ball of the lesson I managed to get the ball to four feet from the pin. It's amazing just how hard you can actually swing without the ball going for miles!


So, plenty to practice and I decided to go and play 18 holes after my work appointments today. Just my luck that I played the entire round without hitting a single bunker!!!!

 

[richart]

Glad it went well, but why a baseball grip for bunkers, and not sure about flicking ?

I'm old school and was taught to play bunker shots with an open stance. Good visual was to image you are trying to balance a glass on the club face as you swing.

 

[DelB]

Glad it went well, but why a baseball grip for bunkers, and not sure about flicking ?

I'm old school and was taught to play bunker shots with an open stance. Good visual was to image you are trying to balance a glass on the club face as you swing.

Was advised not to stand open whilst learning technique. He says I should be aiming the sand in the direction I want the ball to go in. Also suggested baseball grip as its easier to break the wrists after impact, at least until I feel confident about changing to my normal grip once I've got the feel of it.

 

[G1BB0]

surely its a good thing you missed all the bunkers

good to hear the lesson was worth it. its something I plan to do further down the line although my short game was bloody good on Sunday, even my m8 commented that my 60 deg wedge play was immense (he is off 8 so praise indeed )

let us know how the whole short game has improved over the next few rounds as I wlways do well in lessons but pants when I have to do it for real scores haha

 

[richart]

Glad it went well, but why a baseball grip for bunkers, and not sure about flicking ?

I'm old school and was taught to play bunker shots with an open stance. Good visual was to image you are trying to balance a glass on the club face as you swing.

Was advised not to stand open whilst learning technique. He says I should be aiming the sand in the direction I want the ball to go in. Also suggested baseball grip as its easier to break the wrists after impact, at least until I feel confident about changing to my normal grip once I've got the feel of it.

Oh i thought it was always a baseball grip.

There is a time when a baseball grip is useful, and that is when you are close to a tree, and have a restricted backswing . It is amazing how much further you can hit the ball with a short swing, compared to a conventional grip. Think i heard it from Robert Lee on Sky.

 

[TriggerTech]

Was having similar issues with short game. Brought the GM Gary smith short game app worth every penny, since I've been playing the linear approach I'm now 1 putting most holes, anyone else tried the app? Very simple approach

 

[Farneyman]

sounds like a great lesson. I have never had a short game lesson but one is planned for. How much was the lesson if I may be so bold?

 

[doubletripledouble]

Was having similar issues with short game. Brought the GM Gary smith short game app worth every penny, since I've been playing the linear approach I'm now 1 putting most holes, anyone else tried the app? Very simple approach

1 putting most holes.... Off 28! the rest of your game must be horrendous!

 

[AMcC]

My tuppence worth on this - having the hands separated is an exercise to make you work harder to keep the face open on the way through. If you can do this when using split hands then it should feel easier when hands are together.

 

[DelB]

How much was the lesson if I may be so bold?

You may - I go to Kurt Mungall at Lothianburn in Edinburgh. I think I paid £115 for a block of four lessons. That was for 2 x 1 hour lessons and 2 x half hour lessons. I've still got a half hour putting lesson to come!

 

[TriggerTech]

I'm suffering new iron woes! 2nd , 3rd shot is something im working on! My gir is <10%!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Very interesting. Having serious short game issues but not sure how much of it is all in the head now and I've convinced myself I can't chip. Looking to put some serious practice in on the chipping on Sunday and maybe a lesson if I can't get a fix. I've read in some magazines recently that a squarer bunker set up is the preferred option now and just try and keep the face pointing at the target to get the bounce to work. Might be worth a shot as well when I get out there as I'm from the open stance school and it really isn't working

 

[thecraw]

Very interesting. Having serious short game issues but not sure how much of it is all in the head now and I've convinced myself I can't chip. Looking to put some serious practice in on the chipping on Sunday and maybe a lesson if I can't get a fix. I've read in some magazines recently that a squarer bunker set up is the preferred option now and just try and keep the face pointing at the target to get the bounce to work. Might be worth a shot as well when I get out there as I'm from the open stance school and it really isn't working

Homer, your off 12 therefore your technique must be there or there abouts, I get the impression from your blog and threads on here your trying to become a "perfect" golfer which in my opinion there is no such thing.

Just concentrate on "feel" for the short game don't think of anything technical, feel the shot and how far you have to pitch it.

Seriously man, you really need to chill out over your golf, I'm surprised at times you even manage to swing a club with all that gumpf going through your head. Enjoy your golf, no pressure on yourself and I would almost put money on it that your game improves.

tc.

 

[kinhell]

Read Dave Pelz'z short game bible. It's a revelation and will improve your game no end.

 

[MashieNiblick]

Whilst I agree that feel is crucial to a good short game, so is technique and the pro can certainly help there. The short game lessons I've had have all really helped me.

I'm amazed at how many high handicappers have very poor short game technique which a lesson could easily rectify. I've seen guys set up for a bunker shot like it's normal shot, try to blast it and take 3 goes to get it out whilst moving half a ton of sand then turn round and say "I'm terrible out of bunkers" as if it's a permanent affliction that they can't do anything about.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Homer, your off 12 therefore your technique must be there or there abouts, I get the impression from your blog and threads on here your trying to become a "perfect" golfer which in my opinion there is no such thing.

Just concentrate on "feel" for the short game don't think of anything technical, feel the shot and how far you have to pitch it.

Seriously man, you really need to chill out over your golf, I'm surprised at times you even manage to swing a club with all that gumpf going through your head. Enjoy your golf, no pressure on yourself and I would almost put money on it that your game improves.

tc.

As always someone who has never seen me play or have any concept of whether I am tense or not enjoying it telling me what I need to do. Actually you are wrong. My chipping is not there or thereabouts and the technique is woeful with to much breaking of the wrist and collapsing (scooping) through impact. I know the issue but haven't found a reliable solution. It is the one thing killing my scores and its impossible to "think feel" if you aren't making solid contact

 

[thecraw]

^^^^^^^^

Tell you what chuck golf mate. Just do yourself a favour and walk away.