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Tiger man

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Now I know when watching the pros and top amateur players it is important for them to be able to shape a variety of shots, hence the need for blades or small headed clubs. But reading the forum discussions I often hear many people with mid handicaps etc judging clubs on how they can work them or shape shots with them, but from my experience almost all golfers I have come across barring a few low single digit players never even attempt anything other than their stock shot and trying to make solid contact?
So my question is have I just been in limited company or are there really lots of you who can shape a variety of shots on a regular basis and don't possess a low handicap?
 
I'm off 14 and have received a block of lessons off my lad for Christmas, had first lesson, 2 weeks ago and pro has had me shaping shots(or trying) been working on it for 2 weeks, hit some great shapes on the course and some stinkers trying, long way to go, but if I can pull them off, will be great for my game. Biggest thing though was the lightbulb moment when the knowledge to hit the shape clicked.
 
The only time I try and shape a shot is if I'm blocked out by some obstacle.

And the success rate at this tells me not to attempt it if I can go for my target with my standard shot.
 
Straight works fine for me - and is almost always the intent.

A semi-controlled fade around an obstacle or into a protected right pin isn't impossible, but a Draw rarely happens - at least not to order!

I would be just as (in)capable of shaping the ball with GI clubs as I was with blades or am with the small headed CB/Blade combo I play with now.

There's way too much twaddle uttered by handicap players about shaping shots - that aren't their stock one - imo!
 
I also play off 14 and I constantly amaze myself with the range and degree of different shot shapes I perform on a weekly basis.

Low hooks, high slices, with any given club at any given time........:o

In all seriousness, the only deliberately 'shaped' shot I feel confident with is a low punch draw with a 6 or 7 iron to get back into play when I've hooked/pulled yet another tee shot into trouble. If you practice something enough you'll eventually get good at it.....
 
Crow said:
The only time I try and shape a shot is if I'm blocked out by some obstacle.

And the success rate at this tells me not to attempt it if I can go for my target with my standard shot.
Click to expand...
Well that's about how my experiences go too and you are obviously at a good standard! Reason I posted was contemplating a Fli Hi Mizuno 3 iron so looked up some reviews (not on this site may I add) and the feedback is mainly positive but a few saying how they lack feel and are tough to shape. Then looking at the handicaps of the reviewers one was from a 22 handicap moaning he could not do anything other than straight shots, now I don't know anyone at that standard that would complain that he could only hit a 3 iron straight!
Just got me wondering if there really are many people with the confidence to do it consistently on a course.
 
Play of 11 and attempt to shape almost all my full shots. A perfectly shaped shot is rarely the outcome but the misses are far less severe. Ball moves in intended direction around 60-70% of the time id say, the amount it moves is a lottery though.
 
Break90 said:
I also play off 14 and I constantly amaze myself with the range and degree of different shot shapes I perform on a weekly basis.

Low hooks, high slices, with any given club at any given time........:o

In all seriousness, the only deliberately 'shaped' shot I feel confident with is a low punch draw with a 6 or 7 iron to get back into play when I've hooked/pulled yet another tee shot into trouble. If you practice something enough you'll eventually get good at it.....
Click to expand...
:lol: Yes the only consistency I have is inconsistency!
 
I think it depends on what level you really want to get to and also maybe the natural ability that you have. I would also be very careful as this game is hard enough and you could end up killing your game with so many swing thoughts.
Yes I want to be the best I can and want to get my handicapp down, but at my time of life and late entry to the game I'm never gonna play for the club team or county.
The best thing I've done was bought Jim Hardy's book "Plane Truth" and work on becoming a more natural one plane swing. Got the book Feb 2013 and feel my ball striking getting better. I enjoy quality practice.
The way I'm gonna get my handicap down is to work on my short game 100 yards and in, with chipping.
I've messed about trying different things in the past and it's been destructive so not for me, I'll stick to having a stock shot and work/play with what Ive got.
 
Tiger man said:
Now I know when watching the pros and top amateur players it is important for them to be able to shape a variety of shots, hence the need for blades or small headed clubs. But reading the forum discussions I often hear many people with mid handicaps etc judging clubs on how they can work them or shape shots with them, but from my experience almost all golfers I have come across barring a few low single digit players never even attempt anything other than their stock shot and trying to make solid contact?
So my question is have I just been in limited company or are there really lots of you who can shape a variety of shots on a regular basis and don't possess a low handicap?
Click to expand...

I'll take that premise one step further. Not only is there no-one with a high handicap that can shape any shot to order, I dont believe theres any low cappers on here can do it either.

Stock shots dont count as thats your...erm...stock shot:smirk: but if anyone can hit any shot they need at anytime they would be in the elite on tour.
 
CMAC said:
I'll take that premise one step further. Not only is there no-one with a high handicap that can shape any shot to order, I dont believe theres any low cappers on here can do it either.

Stock shots dont count as thats your...erm...stock shot:smirk: but if anyone can hit any shot they need at anytime they would be in the elite on tour.
Click to expand...
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
 
I can hit a shot with a shape if needed but normal just hit the stock natural shot
 
In my experience, very few can successfully shape the ball consistently at will. Many will tell you they can or know how but very few can demonstrate the ability on the course when it matters
 
HawkeyeMS said:
In my experience, very few can successfully shape the ball consistently at will. Many will tell you they can or know how but very few can demonstrate the ability on the course when it matters
Click to expand...
Totally agree, and part of it though is having the confidence to try, even pro's hit bad shots.
 
pauldj42 said:
I'm off 14 and have received a block of lessons off my lad for Christmas, had first lesson, 2 weeks ago and pro has had me shaping shots(or trying) been working on it for 2 weeks, hit some great shapes on the course and some stinkers trying, long way to go, but if I can pull them off, will be great for my game. Biggest thing though was the lightbulb moment when the knowledge to hit the shape clicked.
Click to expand...

Learning to shape the ball off of 14 is flawed if you ask me. Learn to hit one consistent shot and a short game will be much more benefit to your improvement
 
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