Winter training program

[haplesshacker]

As most of you are aware of my quest (no laughing please) to break 100. And following advice from fellow forumers about improving the short game. I have deceided to alternate my weekends with 18 hole full length course and the clubs par 3 pitch and putt course. Not only should this improve my short game, but also save me a few bob as well.

Thoughts?

As a side note, after 20 games, and todays efforts I now have only one hole that I haven't gross par'd on the regular track that I play.

 

[sandford93]

good idea, a solid short game at your stage can cut heaps of shots off your scores. whats your best 18 hole score so far ?

 

[haplesshacker]

101, which I did about 3 weeks ago. That's gross, not net doubles etc. Play off 25.

 

[toyboy54]

Happles.. don't give up.Try this way(if it works then great)

I've just won our clubs ecletic event(best net score on every hole over the course over the year)
Wish I could do this on one day over one day in the medal.but nada was not to be!!!!!

 

[haplesshacker]

Well done. As you say just need to pull it all together in one game.

 

[sandford93]

have you started the training yet ?

 

[haplesshacker]

Nope. Night golf next week, and then we'll start with the par 3 course the week after.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Good idea but don't put too much pressure on yourself when you go out to the par 3 course. Focus on trying to be as accurate as you can and don't worry too much about the putting as most of the par 3 courses I've played have notoriously bad greens (especially this time of year).

When you get back out on the 18 holes again, try and focus before every shot. Tel yourself that you have played this hole well historically and have hit a good tee shot before. Ignore the hazards and focus on the fairway and tell yourself that is what you ant to hit. It will get the minds subconscious to focus on the good shots and will help you make a more relaxed swing.

 

[TonyN]

Do you have access to a putting/chipping green?

I have one at my course and my local range.

I practice a couple of hours each week just bumping on with a 7iron and a wedge, aiming at different holes each shot.

The key is finding a technique you are comftable with and sticking to it. do the same thing everytime, ensuring all the fundamentles are right.

I make it into a game to keep it interesting. 10 balls, 10 different holes no more than 22 shots to hole them all.

Stick all 10 as close as possible to each hole with the 7 or wedge, then hole out with the putter.

 

[SammmeBee]

Hapless - the more practice the better but like I said when we played.....

Use you putter as much as possible (within reason) around the green - you worst put will always be better than your worst chip

Or take the club that gets the ball on the green as quick as possible and needs the shortest back swing - the short swing you take, the less the margin for error.....

 

[sandford93]

i always feel at ease with an 8 iron around the green, each to their own

 

[Basher]

7 iron does it for me. Strongest part of my game so far. Chip on from just off the green or even up to 30 yards out. Dunno, my 7 iron feels more comfortable in my hands than a PW.
To be honest I find greta difficulty using my PW around the greens and have ruined many cards trying to use it, hence, the preferred use of the 7 iron.

Many places will frown upon chipping and pitching onto the putting green.
I tend to hide away on the practise area and place a ball on a closely mown area to represent the hole (target) and practise pitching and chipping towards it from varying distances. Doesn't give you the benfit of seeing how the ball runs on a green but certainly helps in distance practise.

 

[TonyN]

My putting green has a sign saying no chipping or pitching but to be honest, the ball does less damage to it than if I were to walk all over it putting. Seeing as I am the only one to ever use it no one has said anything. I think they are more concerened with the 30,40, 50 yard pitchs that leave pitch marks.

 

[billyg]

Ive been lucky enough to have the use of practice greens at the local DR where you can chip (and providing no one else is using them) practice short pitches.

A tube of 20 balls is £3 and then you can keep going for as long as your back can take it.

A few things that ive learnt from this:-

1) I don't know how I ever thought I was going to miraculously develop a decent chipping or putting stroke without access to such a facility.

A large garden, an understanding partner and a military grade lawn mower might suffice at a push.

2) I see people stroke all twenty balls at a single hole - IMHO not much like a real challenge then? most people with a half decent putting stroke will put one or two in the hole from 20 feet with 20 balls. Im not proving anything to myself or anyone else with that.
I would rather roll a couple along the grass to get a feel for the speed of the greens and then play just 2 to each hole and try and put them within tap-in range - much more like the real game to me

3) same with chipping

4) It gives you a great chance to work out chipping air-to-run ratios (all else being equal- which of course it nearly never is)

Roughly I get about 1:5 air to run with a 7 iron

I get about 1:3 with a PW

I get about 1:1 with a SW

5) Given a choice and no obstacles - I get a really good feeling with the 7 iron above all others- dont know why - just seem to get a really nice clean contact off the face and a real 'feel' for distance with it.

6) I treat the fringe as an extension of the green surface when i'm working out air to run distance on tight pins- seems a fair risk

7) Despite many,many attempts to prove it otherwise - the old adage about the fringe putt against the chip - I find it to be true- bah!

8) I have almost no doubt that somewhere down the line a lesson on chipping and another on putting will yield more than their weight in....well, torn-up score cards.

bill

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have a local muni which has a putting green that you can chip on although there are signs saying not to. I tend t craftily lift and drop the sign to the edge of the green and carry on. My club won't allow chipping onto the putting green and to be fair the mown little areas are not really sufficient or accurate enough to land a ball on and it to react like a green.

Totally agree with everyone stating that you have to vary your targets. Personally I may focus on one hole for tow or three minutes to begin with purely to make sure my mechanics are sound. Then I play one ball to each hole and try and putt out. One point for an up and down and -1 for taking three or more. 18 different targets but I must play 3 with a PW, with a SW and 3 with 8 iron.

 

[Parmo]

My training this winter is: -

Main focus = 5, 6, 7 & 8 irons as I play a short course and don't use them reg and when I do need them its not impressive. So start with my SW on half shots then full, 15 balls each down to 5 then a few on the hybrids.

Short game = Hit 10 balls from 10 yard intervals until at 40 yards and tahe average. Then spend 20 mins working on my putting green.

This weekend doing the above and the week after maybe a round if not carry on with this as its cheaper and not as frustrating in the soggy conditions.

 

[viscount17]

I have decided to get short game lessons this winter so paradoxically my chipping has spontaneously improved before the lessons start.
It may in part have been due to never making my mind up as to which club to use, but for whatever reason I've found I suddenly like the 52. Practice though is difficult.

We have a pitching area, too small and too busy especially on a Saturday which is the only day I can use it as the pro's bring out a never ending swarm of infants.