What is so difficult....

[Owen_Thomas_14]

About shots inside 100 yards? Following on from bobs post it seems like everyone including myself struggle with these shots

 

[Macster]

Its because they require 'feel', a judgment of the swing needed to get the ball where you want, and that leaves some in doubt, and likely to 'quit' on the shot, or catch it fat.

Im always amazed how many people are absolutely crap at even the easiest chip& run shots, or a little floater over a Bunker, stuff that should be so easy to play.
Its the Drives that should be hardest, but even a lot of 28Hc'ers can get those away.

 

[daymond]

In my case it's taking a full,committed swing with one of four lofted clubs and avoiding the half or threequarter etc. swings which often result in thin or fat shots when doubt overcomes me half way down the swing.

 

[Sponge1980]

Definately agree with Macster. I think my problem is trying too hard to knock it stiff every time and end up duffing it short.

 

[Imurg]

It's all down to practice really.
Once the weather warms up and the ground dries, I'll spend 6 or 7 hours a week on our short course. Longest hole is 94 yards and the greens are like those on the main course. Play 2 or 3 balls per hole, go round the 9 holes twice and I've hit around 50-60 shots between 50 and 100 yards.2 or 3 times a week and its got to help.

 

[bobmac]

In my case it's taking a full,committed swing with one of four lofted clubs and avoiding the half or threequarter etc. swings which often result in thin or fat shots when doubt overcomes me half way down the swing.

Just shorten the backswing

 

[Fyldewhite]

As above, it's all feel and practice. I tend to take plenty of practice swings and "see" the shot to have a clear picture in my mind before I step up to play it. I also concentrate 100% on where I want the ball to land.

 

[User 105]

Measure all you're wedge distances with a full back swing, arms back to 9 o'clock and arms to 7.

Write it down on a little sticky label for each club and stick it to the shaft.

Really helps to have a GPS for inside 100. Knowing it's 65 yards and not 75 makes a big difference.

It's surprising how much more confident, and therefore committed, you will be knowing you're club yardages and the distance. No more guess work.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I agree and think it is from within 100 yards that Sky Caddy or similar really come into their own so you know exactly how far you have and can make a committed shot with the right wedge. I hate trying to practice feel shots and half or three quarter swings at this time of year as the heavy ground gives no margin for error and the wet grass doesn't give you true distances (plus the odd flyer). Wait a few weeks until the clocks change and then most of my practice will be short game, putting and bunkers.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

It's all down to practice really.
Once the weather warms up and the ground dries, I'll spend 6 or 7 hours a week on our short course. Longest hole is 94 yards and the greens are like those on the main course. Play 2 or 3 balls per hole, go round the 9 holes twice and I've hit around 50-60 shots between 50 and 100 yards.2 or 3 times a week and its got to help.

Spot on, it's all about practice, I spend hours practicing different yardages with my wedges when the days get longer and it pays off.

 

[kid2]

Its because they require 'feel', a judgment of the swing needed to get the ball where you want, and that leaves some in doubt, and likely to 'quit' on the shot, or catch it fat.

Im always amazed how many people are absolutely crap at even the easiest chip& run shots, or a little floater over a Bunker, stuff that should be so easy to play.
Its the Drives that should be hardest, but even a lot of 28Hc'ers can get those away.

I agree with a lot that Mac has said here....
Also people find the drives easier i think in my own opinion because there's a hell of a lot more room for error...i.e. fairways are alot wider than the greens that we all want to hit....

Also and iv seen this first hand is when players are standing over there shot off the tee most are concious to pick out there target in the distance and pair that with there secondary target a few inch's or feet in front or there ball and set up to that...

Rarely have i seen anyone do this either from 100 or inside and im including greenside chips and bump and runs also.

I will nearly always bump and run short shots into the greens and depending on the distance i will use a 6 or 7 iron for them....Ill also read them like putts on the green and use a putting stroke if im nearer...Its helping alot...


I also find that if i grip down clubs around the 100 mark then im far more accurate...This also has a knock on of shortening the back and through swing.

 

[jammydodger]

This is the area of the game that I practise the most. Spent 1.5 hours up the club today just hitting shots to certain yardages 65 , 75 , 90 and 100. Doesnt take long before you get a great feel for the shots and can then take this feelign to the course. Thoroughly recommend this sort of practise for anyone wanting to lower their h/c

 

[Region3]

I get the impression that a lot of people try to play these less than full shots by slowing the swing down rather than just shortening it up.

If you play a shot only swinging back to your waist you still have to commit to it and accelerate through the ball.

I have a 3/4 swing (hands to shoulder height) and a 1/2 swing (hands to waist height) that I (sort of) know the yardages for. If you haven't got a swing for a yardage then opening the face a bit loses me about 5 yards, or gripping up or down half an inch gains/loses a couple.

I'm not saying that I'm that accurate, but if you think you have the right swing and club for the yardage to go it's one less thing to worry about.
I do the above because I don't play/practice enough to be accurate just playing by feel.

 

[USER1999]

I have never shanked a driver.......

 

[Robobum]

This is the area of the game that I practise the most. Spent 1.5 hours up the club today just hitting shots to certain yardages 65 , 75 , 90 and 100. Doesnt take long before you get a great feel for the shots and can then take this feelign to the course. Thoroughly recommend this sort of practise for anyone wanting to lower their h/c

+1

Just like the man who has trouble pronouncing f, t or h..........you can't say fairer than that then.

Commitment to any shot is vital but even more so on short(er) shots.

For example: If you judge a shot to be a 3/4 swing wedge then quit on it and duff it 30yards, you don't know whether your judgment of the shot was as bad as your execution and you learn nothing.

If, however, you commit to the 3/4 wedge shot, hit it nicely and find you are 15yards long then it is only your judgment that needs adjusting and the feedback will help you for the next time you find yourself with that yardage.

 

[Imurg]

For example: If you judge a shot to be a 3/4 swing wedge then quit on it and duff it 30yards, you don't know whether your judgment of the shot was as bad as your execution and you learn nothing.

If, however, you commit to the 3/4 wedge shot, hit it nicely and find you are 15yards long then it is only your judgment that needs adjusting and the feedback will help you for the next time you find yourself with that yardage.

Wise words mate!!

 

[StrangelyBrown]

I think you all need to read Peltz's short game book

 

[MashieNiblick]

As someone whose poor chipping has cost him a lot of shots I have given this some thought. I'm Ok from 100 - 50 yards out (basically full 3/4 and 1/2 shots) but as I get closer and the swing gets shorter I get much more nervy and inconsistent. Did once even consider trying a chipper (only for 0.54 seconds though!!)

I think this is because as I get nearer to the green the more a shot requires judgement, feel/touch, good technique and confident and precise execution and that's a difficult combination. The target area is smaller and the consequences of a less than good shot are very immediate. I think this is what leads to so much mental interference when I play these.

However the pros always seem to play these so well. As well as their natural talent they practise them all the time to hone their judgement and technique and they totally trust their ability to execute the shot thay have chosen even under tournament pressure (except Hunter Mahan of course ).

I do find I'm fine with bunkers though, maybe beacuse they involve a fullish swing.

I had a couple of chipping lessons and practise more and am much better than I was. And as with everything in this game as I get better I get more confident and as I get more confident hopefully I'll get better.

 

[TriggerTech]

Off the mats at the range I'm fine, however struggling with course shots at the minute, thinning alot, anyone else have this issue?

 

[viscount17]

I get the impression that a lot of people try to play these less than full shots by slowing the swing down rather than just shortening it up.

guilty, though half the time you end up doing both - and going nowhere

pitching/chipping lesson at the weekend