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Am I on track?


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I played 9 holes today. The weather wasn't that great but I still managed. par is 36 on my home course here.

Wind = 20-30 mph. I shot a 41, 5 over. I had 14 putts on the 9 holes. I had 2/9 G.I.R's. I think putting is what saved me . I would like to know if this is right where I should be for my handicap, or is it lower than my handicap because of the wind?

I'm in transition from a 9 to a lower handicap and I need to know what I have to do to get better. I missed some chip shots that I needed close, and I'm not comfortable 70 yards in. Its either a 3/4 sand wedge, or a small gap wedge. SW goes 95-105 yards, Gap wedge goes 110-120 yards.

What can I do to get it close on the small 70-yard-in shots?

Driver: Callaway Big Bertha Diablo 9º
2 Hybrid: Callaway Big Bertha Heavenwood
Irons: Nike Slingshot OSS 6-3 iron
          Taylormade Tour Preferred PW-7 iron
Wedges: Cleveland CG14 50º, 54º
              Taylormade RAC 58º
Putter: Ping Darby 32" shaft


 

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I played 9 holes today. The weather wasn't that great but I still managed. par is 36 on my home course here.

I think you need to realize it is just one round and you are way too focused on your handicap, if you have a formal, established handicap. So first, you need to get over that and realize some days the wind will blow and you'll play well, some days the sun will shine and you'll play poorly, it's golf. Since no one here played with you, it is impossible tell you how good or not so good your round was. Post all your scores and the handicap will take care of itself, otherwise forget about it when analyzing your game, it's just a reflection of your average scores, nothing more.

As for the 70 and in, practice so you are comfortable from various shorter distances, or manage your game so that you leave 100 yards, if that is a more reliable distance. You'll often hear pros talking about their layup distances, not just on par 5s, but in terms of what they will hit off the tees on short par 4s. Often, they'll opt for a full wedge of some kind vs. part wedge, and plan on leaving themselves 100 yards out, or whatever that "reliable" distance is for them. Still, there's no reason you can't develop a reliable 75 yard shot, or a reliable 50 yard shot, just takes work. You could even add another wedge. If you watched the golf coverage at Los Angeles a few weeks ago, you may have caught the coverage of I think the short par 4 10th (?), I think I've got that right, if not, sorry. Fascinating in the hole's long history how few players reach the green despite the short distance and how hard it is to birdie. The best strategy (ala Phil) appeared to be playing to reach the green in two with a solid short wedge of some kind. The worst strategy appeared to be what almost everyone did -- just go for the green.

909D3 (Voodoo, stiff)
King Cobra Comp 5w (YS 5.1 Stiff)
AP1 4,5; AP2 6-P; Vokey 252 08, SM56 14, SM60 08 (Nippon N.S. Pro 950GH Regular)
Newport 2 Mid Slant

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Hmm I guess I do worry about my handicap a bit too much. But, sometimes I can't help being 70 yards in. I play exactly how you are describing flanagan. I lay up to my comfort club; my gap wedge. But, every once in a blue moon (yesterday), I sometimes chunk it 40-50 yards leaving that 70- yard in shot. Plus, on holes like a par 4 327 yard hole, where there is a small green and a wide fairway, I take driver and and have about a 50- yard shot into the green.

My problem is when I take the knock-down shots with my clubs. they tend to get blocked to the right. Am I using too much wrist? Am I slowing my arms down but keeping my hips turning at the same speed? I need help! If I can get this fixed, this will knock 3-5 strokes off my game. Thanks.

Driver: Callaway Big Bertha Diablo 9º
2 Hybrid: Callaway Big Bertha Heavenwood
Irons: Nike Slingshot OSS 6-3 iron
          Taylormade Tour Preferred PW-7 iron
Wedges: Cleveland CG14 50º, 54º
              Taylormade RAC 58º
Putter: Ping Darby 32" shaft


 

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You are certainly on the right track toward analyzing where you can save strokes. And your scores can improve dramatically with a better wedge game. Sounds like the 70 yard shot is because of an occasional issue with the 110 yard shot, so maybe solid contact with the wedges in general is the issue, and I can relate to that.

I hope some of the swing experts on here can help you with this, I'm not one of them. I know when I start blocking wedges to the right, it's because I'm taking the club back inside too much on my backswing, leading to other not so good things. I try to work on my wedge swing being a little more upright, good wrist set and concentrate on good contact down and through with a divot in front of the ball, pointing at the target. The other thing I check is my alignment to make sure I'm not setting up too open, and my setup/ball position. I guess no magic in any of that.

I can't say these things are what you are dealing with or will help, that's just where I go for answers in my swing (I may not even be giving myself the right answers! --- but those are my keys, with my swing when the wedges are off target).

As your setup, alignment and contact are consistent, the "part" wedges become easier, sometimes it helps to start with the shorter shots and work your way back in distance when practicing.

909D3 (Voodoo, stiff)
King Cobra Comp 5w (YS 5.1 Stiff)
AP1 4,5; AP2 6-P; Vokey 252 08, SM56 14, SM60 08 (Nippon N.S. Pro 950GH Regular)
Newport 2 Mid Slant

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ok thank you

Driver: Callaway Big Bertha Diablo 9º
2 Hybrid: Callaway Big Bertha Heavenwood
Irons: Nike Slingshot OSS 6-3 iron
          Taylormade Tour Preferred PW-7 iron
Wedges: Cleveland CG14 50º, 54º
              Taylormade RAC 58º
Putter: Ping Darby 32" shaft


 

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I would try to focus on just lowering scores, rather then lower handicap. Its the same thing, but you may get more positive and more feed back from each score rather then a number of what you average.
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Don't know your swing, and have no idea how you hit the 70 yard (and under) shots -- but here is something you might try.

Go to the range and practice taking a backswing sort of outside and up, then hit down almost like a sand shot, but not hitting behind the ball. You need a crisp descending blow and you need to get really comfortable with the bounce of your sand wedge. I've found the best way to do that is practice swinging slightly across your body, holding off any hard closing of the club face. Try it... hit 30 yards, then 40 yards, etc., working your way out to full 3/4 shots. On longer pitches, just turn your body through the shot a little harder or faster.

I'm not advocating a true outside-in swing or and over the top move, just making sure you don't jerk the club inside and come at the ball too much from the inside and flipping your wrist through the shot. These short shots don't need to be draws, a yard or two cut is a great trajectory -- in my opinion. The key is learning the feeling of using the bounce of your short clubs so you feel confident -- I always think the closer to the green the better because a slow smooth backswing and a nice turn through the ball will pop it up and all you have to do is gauge the distance. A little hold off cut swing stops better and is easy to learn with practice.

RC

 

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Note: This thread is 5468 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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