Work it!

[Deleted member 15344]

No...there is just a lot of people on here who talk a lot of crap. Even pros struggle to shape the ball both ways consistently which is why they all have a 'stock' shot.

I've played with hundreds of people in my golfing career of all abilities and I can probably count on one hand the number that can shape the ball consistently to order. I can hit the ball both ways but I don't know when it's going to happen or by how much

I'm not sure what you're trying to say

Think it's a very wide question

I mainly hit it straight with a slight touch of draw , I can get a slight touch of fade but nothing in the Bubba stakes

With rescues and fairway woods I seem to be able to get a bit more nice draw as a stock shot but again can hit a fade but less control

Irons are the opposite

But the main times I do give it a bash is ehrn stuck behind a tree - low hooks or high cuts I seem to be able to manage it but sometimes over hook it

But overall I just hit the thing and it's what ever natural shape appears

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I tend to try and keep it in play. Off my handicap that gives me the best chance to score well. I can move it right to left pretty easily and even managed to do it to command when playing with Hawkeye on more than one occasion! In theory I can move it the other way with a fade but I only do this as a necessity especially in a comp.

Most pros have the ability to move the ball both ways and usually do if required although they will rely on a stock shot. I have played with some very good amatuer golfers who could as well but again had a stock shot rather than moving the ball for the sake of it. Most tend to move off the tee to get a better position into the green and attack the flag

 

[SocketRocket]

I think one of the things that makes shot shaping difficult is the amount of duff information out there on how to do it. Like any skill you need to understand how it's done then practice it, generally the more you practice the better you get as long as you are doing the right things. It's just like putting' chipping etc etc.

 

[Oddsocks]

When I'm swinging well I can play both on demand, when the good swing is on holidays I just aim straight.



..... Haven't shaped a ball In weeks

 

[dontfancythisputt]

I was told a few years ago that trying to shape the ball was the best method of ensuring its not going to go the other way. I use this advice on almost every shot. Im not really looking to move the ball but rather stop it moving in one particular direction.

Does no one else do this? Id be interested to know.

The advice got me from 21 to 14 in one season so id say it was good advice.

 

[garyinderry]

I think one of the things that makes shot shaping difficult is the amount of duff information out there on how to do it. Like any skill you need to understand how it's done then practice it, generally the more you practice the better you get as long as you are doing the right things. It's just like putting' chipping etc etc.

Excellent post. Its exactly like this. The secret of moving the ball in the air is now in the general domain through the ball flight laws. It hasn't been like that in the past.

I am surprised at the negativity towards this on here. No one is claiming to be pro standard of accuracy but it isn't really all that difficult to learn how to escape trouble or to hit a mid iron into a green fighting the wind.

Pros and low men don't wake up one day with the ability to shape a ball both ways. They had to learn how to do and then practice the life out of it.

You can go to mark Crisfield for a lesson and within an hour he can have you hitting the opposite shot shape with no much more though than exit point through the ball or hands ahead etc. Understand how, learn it, bag it and practice it.

If you never try these things you will never learn. Surprised at your use of ''at my level'' homer. Can't imagine that would feature much in NGT. Such a defeatist attitude. never let a number define what you can and can't do in this game.

Play off 20 and fancy a lob wedge. Go for it. Practice like he'll. Make mistakes, learn what works, what doesn't and when you should use it. Again anther skill you don't have to wait until you are a certain handicap to use. The things you do learn will seep into your other wedges.

Using mark Crossfield as an example he says when he was a kid he used to go out and make up silly games like playing a par 5 and trying not to hit the ball much higher than head height. Others included bg slingy hooks and massive cuts. You don't wake you with this ability. You have to make mistakes, find out what works then repeat repeat repeat.

Want to learn how to play a flop shot? Go learn it and practice it till you can do it.

When I was a kid I stopped kicking a football in the street with my right foot for around a year. Kicked with my left till I blue in the face. These days I am as comfortable with my left and as I am with my right. I see no reason why anyone can't learn to shift the ball both ways. Why wait?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Excellent post. Its exactly like this. The secret of moving the ball in the air is now in the general domain through the ball flight laws. It hasn't been like that in the past.

I am surprised at the negativity towards this on here. No one is claiming to be pro standard of accuracy but it isn't really all that difficult to learn how to escape trouble or to hit a mid iron into a green fighting the wind.

Pros and low men don't wake up one day with the ability to shape a ball both ways. They had to learn how to do and then practice the life out of it.

You can go to mark Crisfield for a lesson and within an hour he can have you hitting the opposite shot shape with no much more though than exit point through the ball or hands ahead etc. Understand how, learn it, bag it and practice it.

If you never try these things you will never learn. Surprised at your use of ''at my level'' homer. Can't imagine that would feature much in NGT. Such a defeatist attitude. never let a number define what you can and can't do in this game.

Play off 20 and fancy a lob wedge. Go for it. Practice like he'll. Make mistakes, learn what works, what doesn't and when you should use it. Again anther skill you don't have to wait until you are a certain handicap to use. The things you do learn will seep into your other wedges.

Using mark Crossfield as an example he says when he was a kid he used to go out and make up silly games like playing a par 5 and trying not to hit the ball much higher than head height. Others included bg slingy hooks and massive cuts. You don't wake you with this ability. You have to make mistakes, find out what works then repeat repeat repeat.

Want to learn how to play a flop shot? Go learn it and practice it till you can do it.

When I was a kid I stopped kicking a football in the street with my right foot for around a year. Kicked with my left till I blue in the face. These days I am as comfortable with my left and as I am with my right. I see no reason why anyone can't learn to shift the ball both ways. Why wait?

:whoo::clap::clap:

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Excellent post. Its exactly like this. The secret of moving the ball in the air is now in the general domain through the ball flight laws. It hasn't been like that in the past.

I am surprised at the negativity towards this on here. No one is claiming to be pro standard of accuracy but it isn't really all that difficult to learn how to escape trouble or to hit a mid iron into a green fighting the wind.

Pros and low men don't wake up one day with the ability to shape a ball both ways. They had to learn how to do and then practice the life out of it.

You can go to mark Crisfield for a lesson and within an hour he can have you hitting the opposite shot shape with no much more though than exit point through the ball or hands ahead etc. Understand how, learn it, bag it and practice it.

If you never try these things you will never learn. Surprised at your use of ''at my level'' homer. Can't imagine that would feature much in NGT. Such a defeatist attitude. never let a number define what you can and can't do in this game.

Play off 20 and fancy a lob wedge. Go for it. Practice like he'll. Make mistakes, learn what works, what doesn't and when you should use it. Again anther skill you don't have to wait until you are a certain handicap to use. The things you do learn will seep into your other wedges.

Using mark Crossfield as an example he says when he was a kid he used to go out and make up silly games like playing a par 5 and trying not to hit the ball much higher than head height. Others included bg slingy hooks and massive cuts. You don't wake you with this ability. You have to make mistakes, find out what works then repeat repeat repeat.

Want to learn how to play a flop shot? Go learn it and practice it till you can do it.

When I was a kid I stopped kicking a football in the street with my right foot for around a year. Kicked with my left till I blue in the face. These days I am as comfortable with my left and as I am with my right. I see no reason why anyone can't learn to shift the ball both ways. Why wait?

Interesting post. Why aren't you on tour?

 

[garyinderry]

Interesting post. Why aren't you on tour?

I ask myself that question every day. :rofl:

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I ask myself that question every day. :rofl:

When you make it, can I caddie for you?

10%? :thup:

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Interesting post. Why aren't you on tour?

Because he's too busy shaping the ball into hazards when he should be trying to hit his stock shot onto the green

 

[garyinderry]

When you make it, can I caddie for you?

10%? :thup:

Hell, make it 15%. I'm just that kinda guy. :thup:

 

[pokerjoke]

Excellent post. Its exactly like this. The secret of moving the ball in the air is now in the general domain through the ball flight laws. It hasn't been like that in the past.

I am surprised at the negativity towards this on here. No one is claiming to be pro standard of accuracy but it isn't really all that difficult to learn how to escape trouble or to hit a mid iron into a green fighting the wind.

Pros and low men don't wake up one day with the ability to shape a ball both ways. They had to learn how to do and then practice the life out of it.

You can go to mark Crisfield for a lesson and within an hour he can have you hitting the opposite shot shape with no much more though than exit point through the ball or hands ahead etc. Understand how, learn it, bag it and practice it.

If you never try these things you will never learn. Surprised at your use of ''at my level'' homer. Can't imagine that would feature much in NGT. Such a defeatist attitude. never let a number define what you can and can't do in this game.

Play off 20 and fancy a lob wedge. Go for it. Practice like he'll. Make mistakes, learn what works, what doesn't and when you should use it. Again anther skill you don't have to wait until you are a certain handicap to use. The things you do learn will seep into your other wedges.

Using mark Crossfield as an example he says when he was a kid he used to go out and make up silly games like playing a par 5 and trying not to hit the ball much higher than head height. Others included bg slingy hooks and massive cuts. You don't wake you with this ability. You have to make mistakes, find out what works then repeat repeat repeat.

Want to learn how to play a flop shot? Go learn it and practice it till you can do it.

When I was a kid I stopped kicking a football in the street with my right foot for around a year. Kicked with my left till I blue in the face. These days I am as comfortable with my left and as I am with my right. I see no reason why anyone can't learn to shift the ball both ways. Why wait?

Great post mate.
I can move it both ways quite easy not to the accuracy where I would be anywhere near a tour but
all that have said just hit it straight imo either have not tried or have tried and failed so basically are
now dismissing this as not possible.
Absolute rubbish.
A bit of practice and you can achieve anything,but of course you've got to want to.

 

[Simbo]

For me, I think this question is right up there in the same vein as golfers claiming about being able to spin the ball, and being able to tell the difference between different brands of premium balls. Most of us on here simply aren't good enough to do it.
I can play a fade or a draw most of the time I attempt it, but by how much it fades or draws is another story altogether, generally not worth the hassle as it will get me into all sorts of trouble. .
I reckon if I was to stand on the range and hit 100 balls with someone saying, hit a 15 yard draw, hit a 25 yard fade etc etc, my success rate would be embarrassingly low. I'm pretty sceptical of guys playing from double figures claiming to be able to do it, if you are able to shape shots at will consistently surely your. Handicap,should be much lower than double figures.
I'd only really attempt to shape the shot if I really had to, round an obstacle or something. Sure guys playing of 14/15 could learn to do it but IMO while it could be good fun and if that's what you're after then great, but there are far better ways to lower your handicap than waste your time trying to learn to shape shots.

 

[CMAC]

How can you jump from a shaped shot on a regular basis, as was the question, to any shape on order, and then discount the stock shot, how can you speak for all low handicappers, they probably got there by ward work and surely your stock shot is shaped because you've repeated it and practised time and time again till you know the "shape"
I'd agree no one IMO above 5-6 could do it, but saying if they could they'd be on tour is wrong,
I've seen plenty of Pro's in lessons on you tube etc hit all sorts of shapes at will and they're not on tour

no it's not.

no-one, repeat no-one can hit any shot shape they want to order everytime- absolute tosh if you believe a couple of (rehearsed and retaken) youtube videos prove they can do it to order:rofl:

 

[CMAC]

Great post mate.
I can move it both ways quite easy not to the accuracy where I would be anywhere near a tour but
all that have said just hit it straight imo either have not tried or have tried and failed so basically are
now dismissing this as not possible.
Absolute rubbish.
A bit of practice and you can achieve anything,but of course you've got to want to.

but I still go round a course on average high 70's and early 80's. Maybe you should shape your putts as well and you might get to scratch.

Saying it's rubbish and "a bit of practice and you can achieve anything, but of course you've got to want to" is insulting to the plethara of journeyman pro's who practice till their fingers bleed yet never even sniff a win or even the challenge tour.

 

[Region3]

Great post mate.
I can move it both ways quite easy not to the accuracy where I would be anywhere near a tour but
all that have said just hit it straight imo either have not tried or have tried and failed so basically are
now dismissing this as not possible.
Absolute rubbish.
A bit of practice and you can achieve anything,but of course you've got to want to.

I've tried, and if failing means that I wouldn't trust it if there were no need to then yes, I've failed.
I believe that with a mid iron, my dispersion will be better trying to hit straight than it would be trying to shape it.

So the next time I face a pin tucked in the back corner of a green behind a bunker which I have no right to be going for with a 6 iron in my hand, I'll just have to settle for aiming at the middle of the green. I can live with that.

 

[Foxholer]

I think one of the things that makes shot shaping difficult is the amount of duff information out there on how to do it. Like any skill you need to understand how it's done then practice it, generally the more you practice the better you get as long as you are doing the right things. It's just like putting' chipping etc etc.

Excellent post. Its exactly like this. The secret of moving the ball in the air is now in the general domain through the ball flight laws. It hasn't been like that in the past.

I am surprised at the negativity towards this on here. No one is claiming to be pro standard of accuracy but it isn't really all that difficult to learn how to escape trouble or to hit a mid iron into a green fighting the wind.

Pros and low men don't wake up one day with the ability to shape a ball both ways. They had to learn how to do and then practice the life out of it.

You can go to mark Crisfield for a lesson and within an hour he can have you hitting the opposite shot shape with no much more though than exit point through the ball or hands ahead etc. Understand how, learn it, bag it and practice it.

If you never try these things you will never learn. Surprised at your use of ''at my level'' homer. Can't imagine that would feature much in NGT. Such a defeatist attitude. never let a number define what you can and can't do in this game.

Play off 20 and fancy a lob wedge. Go for it. Practice like he'll. Make mistakes, learn what works, what doesn't and when you should use it. Again anther skill you don't have to wait until you are a certain handicap to use. The things you do learn will seep into your other wedges.

Using mark Crossfield as an example he says when he was a kid he used to go out and make up silly games like playing a par 5 and trying not to hit the ball much higher than head height. Others included bg slingy hooks and massive cuts. You don't wake you with this ability. You have to make mistakes, find out what works then repeat repeat repeat.

Want to learn how to play a flop shot? Go learn it and practice it till you can do it.

When I was a kid I stopped kicking a football in the street with my right foot for around a year. Kicked with my left till I blue in the face. These days I am as comfortable with my left and as I am with my right. I see no reason why anyone can't learn to shift the ball both ways. Why wait?

Indeed, it's a skill that can be acquired fairly easily and honed with sufficient practice.

The issue, for me at least, is not whether it can be acquired/honed, but whether it's worthwhile acquiring and what it will do to the rest of the game in the process! The cost-benefit simply doesn't justify it for me - unlike acquiring the ball connection skill that would enable a flop shot to be performed from a tight lie - that skill has benefits to all other areas of the game imo - just as becoming 2-footed at football does - though it's a rare Winter shot for me and, like trying to shape shots in general, the LW can be more trouble than it's worth! There are many more cost-effective skills to acquire ahead of shaping shots (correctly!) imo.

 

[pokerjoke]

but I still go round a course on average high 70's and early 80's. Maybe you should shape your putts as well and you might get to scratch.

Saying it's rubbish and "a bit of practice and you can achieve anything, but of course you've got to want to" is insulting to the plethara of journeyman pro's who practice till their fingers bleed yet never even sniff a win or even the challenge tour.

To be honest my response to the op was its easy to move it both ways and I can do that.
As I also said not consistently or very accurately but enough to be able to draw or fade a ball.
Im certainly not saying im an expert as some can confess but with a little practice anything can be achieved
to what standard will depend on the individual and his ability.
I do shape my putts don't you?

 

[richart]

I fade the driver, aim left with face open to path, as otherwise I know I will have at least one huge low snaphook left a round. Been doing it for the last few months and driving has really improved. Well not quite so bad as it was.

Irons I tend to hit straight to a slight draw. I can not fade an iron as I have a big fear of shanking, and can not make myself feel I am sliding the ball from heel to toe.

Putts I can hook and slice.:thup: