Very Specific Lessons

[Barney]

Has anyone been to a coach and asked him to teach them to play a very specific shot.
I want to have a lesson on how to apply check on the ball when hitting low pitch shots onto the green. You know the ones that bounce twice and then stop dead.
I have read the books/mags on how to do it but dont seem to be mastering it.
I have been to two pro's now who have said the same thing which is "why do you want to play that shot when you just need to learn a simple pitch or chip and let the ball run out !"
Whats that all about,Im throwing money at them and they are turning it away !!

 

[bobmac]

Barney, a few questions if I may?
How long have you been playing golf?
What's your h/cap?
What type of ball do you use?
How much do you practice?
Thanks Bob

 

[Barney]

Hi Bob,

I have been playing for 4 years now.
I currently play off 15.
I use pro v1 balls for some stupid reason.
Weather permitting I am lucky enough to be able to play or practice 2 or 3 days a week.
I know its not the end of the world that I cannot play this shot and I may never use it if I get the hang of it but its just one shot I would really like to be able to play !

 

[bobmac]

One more question please. Do you use the clock face method with your wedges?

 

[Barney]

No I admit I dont actually use that method at the moment. Is it something that you think everyone should use ?

 

[bobmac]

No I admit I dont actually use that method at the moment. Is it something that you think everyone should use ?

If someone is serious about his golf, I would certainly teach them this method.
I'm only guessing about the other 2 pros, but maybe they thought you wanted to learn how to run before you can walk.
Another question please.
If you were 50 yds from the flag with 30 yds of green, no obstacles or wind or slopes, what club would you hit, how long would your b/swing be and where would you hold the grip?

 

[Barney]

No I admit I dont actually use that method at the moment. Is it something that you think everyone should use ?

If someone is serious about his golf, I would certainly teach them this method.
I'm only guessing about the other 2 pros, but maybe they thought you wanted to learn how to run before you can walk.
Another question please.
If you were 50 yds from the flag with 30 yds of green, no obstacles or wind or slopes, what club would you hit, how long would your b/swing be and where would you hold the grip?

I am more of a visual person than knowing my exact distances when selecting club and shot selection (if that makes sense and which is probably my downfall) but in the scenario you give with no slopes or obstacles,being only 20 yards off the green I would probably grip down on a mid to high iron and use a bump and run shot trying to get the ball to run out onto the green and up to the hole. Backswing being around the 7.30/8 o clock I suppose.

Its hard this putting this shots into words when sat at the pc and not having a club in hand aint it !!

 

[bobmac]

Its hard this putting this shots into words when sat at the pc and not having a club in hand aint it !!

I understand what you mean and thats the difference the clock face method makes.
I know some people are feel players and some prefer to do it by numbers. I'm not saying one is wrong and the other right.
If I was in that scenario 50 yds from the flag, I know exactly what club, swing and grip I would use.
If you look at that shot and play the bump and run with a guess club and swing, if you then add more spin to the guess, it will get harder to get it close IMO.
Im not suggesting you spend hours practising different length swings with different grip positions and different wedges.
What may help you is to figure out how to play the 50 yrd shot first, then vary that technique for the 60yrd, 40yrd 30yrd and so on.
Then when you have mastered all 9 yardages with each of your wedges then learn the high spinning shot.



Or, move the ball back in your stance towards the right heal, with a lofted club, hit down sharply on the back of the ball with a shorter backswing and a 'fizz' through the ball. (must be a clean lie and clean grooves) HTH

 

[Barney]

Its hard this putting this shots into words when sat at the pc and not having a club in hand aint it !!

I understand what you mean and thats the difference the clock face method makes.
I know some people are feel players and some prefer to do it by numbers. I'm not saying one is wrong and the other right.
If I was in that scenario 50 yds from the flag, I know exactly what club, swing and grip I would use.
If you look at that shot and play the bump and run with a guess club and swing, if you then add more spin to the guess, it will get harder to get it close IMO.
Im not suggesting you spend hours practising different length swings with different grip positions and different wedges.
What may help you is to figure out how to play the 50 yrd shot first, then vary that technique for the 60yrd, 40yrd 30yrd and so on.
Then when you have mastered all 9 yardages with each of your wedges then learn the high spinning shot.



Or, move the ball back in your stance towards the right heal, with a lofted club, hit down sharply on the back of the ball with a shorter backswing and a 'fizz' through the ball. (must be a clean lie and clean grooves) HTH

I know what your saying Bob, I have a lot to learn but I just want to learn how to apply check onto the ball and make them stop dead on the green !
I am one of those people that gets as much enjoyment playing and hitting a dozen 'Hollywood shots' per round, trying to shape my shots (too much in most cases)as going round under my handicap !

Strange but true !!

 

[bobmac]

As I said

Or, move the ball back in your stance towards the right heal, with a lofted club, hit down sharply on the back of the ball with a shorter backswing and a 'fizz' through the ball. (must be a clean lie and clean grooves)

 

[Barney]

Thanks for your time Bob, Ill give it a try....and another, and another, and another !!!!!

 

[haplesshacker]

As I said

Or, move the ball back in your stance towards the right heal, with a lofted club, hit down sharply on the back of the ball with a shorter backswing and a 'fizz' through the ball. (must be a clean lie and clean grooves)

Be honest. How many will be trying this this weekend!!??

 

[bobmac]

As I said

Or, move the ball back in your stance towards the right heal, with a lofted club, hit down sharply on the back of the ball with a shorter backswing and a 'fizz' through the ball. (must be a clean lie and clean grooves)

Be honest. How many will be trying this this weekend!!??

and a soft ball i.e. Prov1

 

[Faldo_Fan]

Barney, a spin milled vokey wedge will improve your chances!

Many times i've played a pitch into the green right up to the flag with my playing opponets all calling 'get down' or 'sit' only for the ball to grip and stop on the second bounce!!!! They then comment 'thought that was through the green' or 'how do you stop it like that'......it's the wedge not me, honest!!!!

 

[JustOne]

I have read the books/mags on how to do it but dont seem to be mastering it.

This is how I do it.

-Start with a ProV or Srixon Z*urs ball.
-Pull out a 58-60° vokey wedge.
-Play the ball off my right foot with my weight left and staying left (you don't want to be falling off it and trying to scoop it)
-Take the club back but resist breaking my wrists, it's a controlled punch from approx 50yards (I don't want to be flicking at it and trying to lift it) The face will feel fairly square not laid right open as you might think.
-Aim 6 feet short of the pin.
-Hit down on the ball with the intention of not getting the ball more than 8 feet off the ground.
-Watch it bounce and grip by the pin...tap in the birdie

Note: It's flippin' hard to do with a crap ball and a cavity back sandwedge! Tools is EVERYTHING in this game.

Second note: You can ask a mate to stand by the pin and see if you get any grip...you may be doing better than you think and it'll give you an idea of how firm you need to be clipping at the back of the ball.

hope this helps.

 

[Wilts]

I will defo be trying this when i get on the course tomorrow.

I too like the hollywood shot!