Looking for advice on a "progress plan"

**jkelley9** · July 28, 2015

Good morning everyone,

I have not been very active on these boards but I have been working a lot on my golf game the past 3-4 months. I'm working one-on-one with an instructor who I've been very happy with. We have been having lessons about 3-4 times per months 1 hour per.

Please note that I'm quite the beginner, my lowest score was a 95 but that was an anomaly where I put the ball close to the pin on almost every whole. I typically shoot around 100-105 where most of my lost strokes are in putting (I'm the 3-putt king). I feel like I'm doing pretty well on getting the ball to the green though. I don't lose but 1 ball or less per round now. I don't hit many GIR's but I'm usually putting for par from about 30-40 ft or for bogey at 5-10 ft.

The way my instructor and I have been working together is that we are currently focusing on a "simple, consistent" swing. Which has been great, and I see a lot of progress which is why I've kept the lessons up.

There is some FANTASTIC material on these boards that I've really enjoyed reading while I had plentiful time to read in Japan/Thailand these past couple weeks. It may already be a thread on these boards and I just haven't found it yet, but I'm looking for a simple, solid "progress" path of things in terms of "things to focus on first, then move on to 'x, y, z'." I'll be ordering that "Lowest score wins" book today, maybe it has what I'm looking for? I've read a lot of the "breaking 100, breaking 90, breaking 80" etc articles but I don't think they omit a lot of this info.

For example: should I really care about fine tuning my equipment at this point? I would think that's quite far off for me right now. Another: when should I start catering to trying to hit cut/draw shots? I imagine this is pretty far off from my skill level now too, correct?

So what I'm kind of looking for is like this, since this is about what I think it should look like for a lower score progression:

1. Solid, consistent impact with irons

2. Move on to trying to get relatively consistent yardage from my irons, maybe start working on a hybrid club or two

3. Spend a GOOD amount of time and regular practice putting on flat parts of practice greens to get good rolls and decent distance control to hopefully drop some strokes on my rounds

3. At the same time but also eventually moving focus on hitting the driver with consistent impact but distance is not terribly important (avoid losing the ball, and giving myself a good lie second shot)

4. Start working on a wood or two (I have a 5w and 3w in my bag but I rarely use them - almost never) but maybe not focus on them heavily?

5+ this is where I'm kind of curious where if I'm starting to hit lower scores but maybe finding myself not able to hit from bad lies, around/over obstacles, out of bunkers (short/long), hitting cuts/draws for better 2nd+ shot position management, how to hit spin, what "bounce" to look for, chipping. I'm not really familiar with a lot of these concepts yet as I think I shouldn't be worrying about them. But it would be nice to know kind of "when" to start thinking about them. Course management will obviously be a huge asset to scoring lower too I'm sure, but not sure when to start worrying about that? Plus, there's probably tons of other factors in this game I haven't even mentioned

Of course, I'm sure there isn't a "this is the answer" list. I'm sure even great players are constantly working on all aspects of their game. But as a beginner, do you think there's a good layout of a progress plan that is relatively on-point and a good reference? I'm not looking at an exhaustive list or anything, though.

Thanks!

**guiseppe** · July 28, 2015

Best advice I ever got: start at the hole and work backwards. Get comfortable with putting, then chipping, then pitching, then full irons...all the way back to the tee box.

Learning the feel of crisp contact with a chip helps you feel it with a pitch, which helps you feel it with an iron, etc. Plus, if you can't make good contact moving the club six inches, you're not going to be able to do it full swing.

**saevel25** · July 28, 2015

but I'm looking for a simple, solid "progress" path of things in terms of "things to focus on first, then move on to 'x, y, z'." I'll be ordering that "Lowest score wins" book today, maybe it has what I'm looking for?

Lowest Score Wins is a great book for figuring out what areas in your game to focus on. Still, being a bogey or worse golfer means you really need to focus on your long game as much as possible. That is the glaring weakness right now.

I would still order the book because it's the best golf book out there. Also the sections on gameplanning with shot zones and different practice routines for short game and putting are fantastic.

For example: should I really care about fine tuning my equipment at this point? I would think that's quite far off for me right now. Another: when should I start catering to trying to hit cut/draw shots? I imagine this is pretty far off from my skill level now too, correct?

Possibly. Typically lie angle and such are consistent because of your height and arm length. I think in some regards changing the swing path might change the lie angle delivered. Of course improving your swing will improve swing speed but I doubt it would be significant enough to warrant a drastic change in golf shaft. Thought changing how the clubhead moves into the ball could, you might need a shaft that lowers or raises the ball height. Long game swing changes take time, so I would say it's OK to get fitted for clubs. At least get something that is close to what you need.

I would find a shot shape that is consistent for you right now. If it is a cut then play the cut. If you are working towards a draw, play what ever shot is consistent that day on the course.PGA Tour players typically play one shot shape.

But it would be nice to know kind of "when" to start thinking about them. Course management will obviously be a huge asset to scoring lower too I'm sure, but not sure when to start worrying about that? Plus, there's probably tons of other factors in this game I haven't even mentioned

Most of the stuff you don't think about.

-Getting use to bad lies comes from just playing golf.

-Again, stick to one shot shape. Rarely do PGA Tour players have to go away from their primary shot shape.

-Spin comes from good contact and clubhead speed

-Get fitted for wedges and you'll find out what bounce and grinds you need for wedges ;)

-Read Lowest Score Wins for course management. Also check out this thread,

-Thread on Pitching,

I would just worry on improving your golf swing right now.

**Hatchman** · July 28, 2015

I like what you've posted @jkelley9. You are self aware that a plan might best fit your developmental scheme and are willing to use outside instruction, resources, etc. kudo's to you. You don't have to eat the apple in one big bite. Go ahead a get LSW, and read (study) the content. Most of the early points you will be able to relate to then take to the practice area, then course. There are areas of the game that need attention as you point out and others will give you good feedback. I am just getting back to form after a disability period and currently working on driving distance as my plan coupled with studying LSW. I spent @ 6 months strictly working on short game earlier that I am comfortable with now. There is a correlation between distance and score I am trying to bridge. So in words of encouragement - keep up the good work.

**jkelley9** · July 28, 2015

Best advice I ever got: start at the hole and work backwards. Get comfortable with putting, then chipping, then pitching, then full irons...all the way back to the tee box.

Learning the feel of crisp contact with a chip helps you feel it with a pitch, which helps you feel it with an iron, etc. Plus, if you can't make good contact moving the club six inches, you're not going to be able to do it full swing.

I am really trying to work on putting for this reason. I drop a lot of shots in putting and I'm finally starting to truly realize that. I think I can see a large difference in my scoring if I spend some extra time on this one.

Lowest Score Wins is a great book for figuring out what areas in your game to focus on. Still, being a bogey or worse golfer means you really need to focus on your long game as much as possible. That is the glaring weakness right now.

I would still order the book because it's the best golf book out there. Also the sections on gameplanning with shot zones and different practice routines for short game and putting are fantastic.

Possibly. Typically lie angle and such are consistent because of your height and arm length. I think in some regards changing the swing path might change the lie angle delivered. Of course improving your swing will improve swing speed but I doubt it would be significant enough to warrant a drastic change in golf shaft. Thought changing how the clubhead moves into the ball could, you might need a shaft that lowers or raises the ball height. Long game swing changes take time, so I would say it's OK to get fitted for clubs. At least get something that is close to what you need.

I would find a shot shape that is consistent for you right now. If it is a cut then play the cut. If you are working towards a draw, play what ever shot is consistent that day on the course.PGA Tour players typically play one shot shape.

Most of the stuff you don't think about.

-Getting use to bad lies comes from just playing golf.
-Again, stick to one shot shape. Rarely do PGA Tour players have to go away from their primary shot shape.
-Spin comes from good contact and clubhead speed
-Get fitted for wedges and you'll find out what bounce and grinds you need for wedges ;)
-Read Lowest Score Wins for course management. Also check out this thread,
-Thread on Pitching,

I would just worry on improving your golf swing right now.

I am definitely working on the golf swing as my #1 priority right now. It definitely needs work. That is where I am getting the most out of my instructor right now since he can see what my swing looks like and where the weakness was in a shot where I cannot.

I like what you've posted @jkelley9. You are self aware that a plan might best fit your developmental scheme and are willing to use outside instruction, resources, etc. kudo's to you.

You don't have to eat the apple in one big bite. Go ahead a get LSW, and read (study) the content. Most of the early points you will be able to relate to then take to the practice area, then course. There are areas of the game that need attention as you point out and others will give you good feedback. I am just getting back to form after a disability period and currently working on driving distance as my plan coupled with studying LSW. I spent @ 6 months strictly working on short game earlier that I am comfortable with now. There is a correlation between distance and score I am trying to bridge. So in words of encouragement - keep up the good work.

I will start with buying LSW today. I just like to have an idea of a simplified order of how things work in my head ahead of time so that I kind of know the natural progression of things. That way I can confidently not have to worry about certain aspects of my game knowing that I'm not there yet.

I think I may need to go get fitted for my clubs. I'll talk to my instructor about it during our next lesson this Thursday to see what he thinks and where I should go have that done.

Thanks everyone!

**Patch** · July 28, 2015

Best advice I ever got: start at the hole and work backwards. Get comfortable with putting, then chipping, then pitching, then full irons...all the way back to the tee box.

Learning the feel of crisp contact with a chip helps you feel it with a pitch, which helps you feel it with an iron, etc. Plus, if you can't make good contact moving the club six inches, you're not going to be able to do it full swing.

I like this method of learning the game 'backwards" so to speak. Those shorter swings pretty much lead to the their longer swing cousins. I have had a few members of my family, and friends learn to play a decent game like this. I have a grand daughter who is a pretty good player for her age, and she learned to hit the ball this way. Another plus is that should a longer swing cause a problem, the golfer already has the shorter, recovery swing in their bag . What ever works.

**nevets88** · July 28, 2015

Are you using video and a swing analyzer to compare swings? It's well worth the investment of time and money.

**Lihu** · July 28, 2015

Quote:
Originally Posted by guiseppe

Best advice I ever got: start at the hole and work backwards. Get comfortable with putting, then chipping, then pitching, then full irons...all the way back to the tee box.

Learning the feel of crisp contact with a chip helps you feel it with a pitch, which helps you feel it with an iron, etc. Plus, if you can't make good contact moving the club six inches, you're not going to be able to do it full swing.

I am really trying to work on putting for this reason. I drop a lot of shots in putting and I'm finally starting to truly realize that. I think I can see a large difference in my scoring if I spend some extra time on this one.

Quote:
Originally Posted by saevel25

Lowest Score Wins is a great book for figuring out what areas in your game to focus on. Still, being a bogey or worse golfer means you really need to focus on your long game as much as possible. That is the glaring weakness right now.

I would still order the book because it's the best golf book out there. Also the sections on gameplanning with shot zones and different practice routines for short game and putting are fantastic.

Possibly. Typically lie angle and such are consistent because of your height and arm length. I think in some regards changing the swing path might change the lie angle delivered. Of course improving your swing will improve swing speed but I doubt it would be significant enough to warrant a drastic change in golf shaft. Thought changing how the clubhead moves into the ball could, you might need a shaft that lowers or raises the ball height. Long game swing changes take time, so I would say it's OK to get fitted for clubs. At least get something that is close to what you need.

I would find a shot shape that is consistent for you right now. If it is a cut then play the cut. If you are working towards a draw, play what ever shot is consistent that day on the course.PGA Tour players typically play one shot shape.

Most of the stuff you don't think about.

-Getting use to bad lies comes from just playing golf.
-Again, stick to one shot shape. Rarely do PGA Tour players have to go away from their primary shot shape.
-Spin comes from good contact and clubhead speed
-Get fitted for wedges and you'll find out what bounce and grinds you need for wedges ;)
-Read Lowest Score Wins for course management. Also check out this thread,
-Thread on Pitching,

I would just worry on improving your golf swing right now.

I am definitely working on the golf swing as my #1 priority right now. It definitely needs work. That is where I am getting the most out of my instructor right now since he can see what my swing looks like and where the weakness was in a shot where I cannot.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatchman

I like what you've posted @jkelley9. You are self aware that a plan might best fit your developmental scheme and are willing to use outside instruction, resources, etc. kudo's to you.

You don't have to eat the apple in one big bite. Go ahead a get LSW, and read (study) the content. Most of the early points you will be able to relate to then take to the practice area, then course. There are areas of the game that need attention as you point out and others will give you good feedback. I am just getting back to form after a disability period and currently working on driving distance as my plan coupled with studying LSW. I spent @ 6 months strictly working on short game earlier that I am comfortable with now. There is a correlation between distance and score I am trying to bridge. So in words of encouragement - keep up the good work.

I will start with buying LSW today. I just like to have an idea of a simplified order of how things work in my head ahead of time so that I kind of know the natural progression of things. That way I can confidently not have to worry about certain aspects of my game knowing that I'm not there yet.

I think I may need to go get fitted for my clubs. I'll talk to my instructor about it during our next lesson this Thursday to see what he thinks and where I should go have that done.

Thanks everyone!

You mentioned that putting is your weakness several times, but that you don't make many GIR. This seems to indicate that your long game is lacking, not the short game.

If I were in your position, I would follow up on what @saevel25 stated more so than putting.

**Hatchman** · July 28, 2015

"I will start with buying LSW today. I just like to have an idea of a simplified order of how things work in my head ahead of time so that I kind of know the natural progression of things. That way I can confidently not have to worry about certain aspects of my game knowing that I'm not there yet. I think I may need to go get fitted for my clubs. I'll talk to my instructor about it during our next lesson this Thursday to see what he thinks and where I should go have that done." Well said @jkelley9 You will pick up Understandably written Keys to success along the way. I highlighted a few of them while reading and put them on note cards. Was coming up short on my irons and now think I better understand the reason why and making adjustments. Fitting will come.

**jkelley9** · July 28, 2015

I like this method of learning the game 'backwards" so to speak. Those shorter swings pretty much lead to the their longer swing cousins. I have had a few members of my family, and friends learn to play a decent game like this. I have a grand daughter who is a pretty good player for her age, and she learned to hit the ball this way. Another plus is that should a longer swing cause a problem, the golfer already has the shorter, recovery swing in their bag . What ever works.

I think that is the way I have naturally been progressing so far. I've been relatively good with my short game lately and struggling more as I move up to longer irons.

Are you using video and a swing analyzer to compare swings? It's well worth the investment of time and money.

I have not. I will look into this though. I'm all about gadgets and stats; I'm engineer after all

You mentioned that putting is your weakness several times, but that you don't make many GIR. This seems to indicate that your long game is lacking, not the short game.

If I were in your position, I would follow up on what @saevel25 stated more so than putting.

I'm sorry, yes that is contradictory. What's really been happening is that when I do hit GIRs I'm often 50-60 ft from the pin. I'm 3 and sometimes 4 putting those suckers. This would ring true that my longer irons may be lacking but at the same time my putting is also lacking (I guess that's my opinion). My short game I've felt has been pretty good. But when I say short game, I mean

However, I will definitely take your and saevel25's advice on the long game work.

"I will start with buying LSW today. I just like to have an idea of a simplified order of how things work in my head ahead of time so that I kind of know the natural progression of things. That way I can confidently not have to worry about certain aspects of my game knowing that I'm not there yet.

I think I may need to go get fitted for my clubs. I'll talk to my instructor about it during our next lesson this Thursday to see what he thinks and where I should go have that done."

Well said @jkelley9 You will pick up Understandably written Keys to success along the way. I highlighted a few of them while reading and put them on note cards. Was coming up short on my irons and now think I better understand the reason why and making adjustments. Fitting will come.

Yes I just ordered it actually. Looking forward to the read.

parlor · July 28, 2015

I'm in a really similar boat to you too.

My copy of LSW should arrive any day now.

I've just got back from 90 balls at the range. I was testing my new 3 Bays Golf Swing Analyzer. I was probably too distracted by the new gadget to have had a very good "practice session," I think it was worth it though.

I kept reading "feel ain't real" on these boards and my GSA is really showing that right now.

I just finished reading Ben Hogan's 5 Fundamentals of Golf. I have a new notebook (nothing in it yet LOL) but my plan is to put together a proper plan. I'm hoping LSW will start to put that side of my golf progress on track...

**Club Rat** · July 28, 2015

@jkelley9

The beginner golfers are just like babies, they crawl slowly before they learn to walk.

There are many aspects to learning to play the great game of golf, reasonably well.

Progress comes slowly for most. All the items you have listed, are a good start.

I'll add one practice routine to your list.

Practice hitting 3/4 swings with all clubs, at a target.

3/4 swings develop, tempo, balance, control, and most important, aggressive movement through the swing.

Also, play easier courses for starters until you obtain a good handle on controlling tee shots.

Don't let "scoring" become priority over learning the basics and controlling the distance and direction of shots.

Club Rat

**No Mulligans** · July 28, 2015

What has helped me the most is having an instructor tell me what my priority is and focusing on that priority. And, doing self-evaluation/analysis of how I'm doing between lessons with the help of video.

And by priority, I mean the way the word "priority" is most often used on this site. A priority needs to be specific and you need to know how to work on it. An example of a specific priority would be getting your weight forward on your down swing. Another one might be keeping your head steady with a centered turn on your backswing.

When you are practicing, know what you are working on for that session. Keep it specific and keep it simple.

If you are like me, changing a golf swing is hard and takes specific and focused practice.

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