Best Tips and Advice for Me

[chigolf07]

Hello all,

I played my first "official" round this afternoon (2-3 practice rounds before, multiple balls, no score keeping) and didn't do as bad as I expected . I started playing last year in August, got some new clubs just this past April, and have worked at the driving range over the winter. Alas, I still would like some opinion as to how you think I can improve my game with.

I made a resolution to really work at the game, keep up my work with consistency, and definitely try to play a lot more. Last year, my beginning year, I took a lot of mulligans, gimmes, and no taking penalties for water-shots or OB. I shot a 53 on 9 today, playing as regulated. Compared to that back in Aug-Nov 2007, I shot between high 40s and high 50s WITH taking mulligans, gimmes, and the like. So, obviously I think I had some improvement over the winter.

In the bag, I have a Taylormade R7 460 (10.5*, reg flex), Wilson stock-set 3-wood and 5-wood, Callaway 08 Big Berthas (4-PW), Taylormade 3 Rescue Hybrid, Cleveland 60* wedge, and a Ping Anser putter. Generally, my shots can be found to be within a 10-yard range of these:
Driver: 215
3-wood: 195
5-wood: 175
3 hybrid: 170
4 iron: 170
5 iron: 165
6 iron: 150
7 iron: 145
8 iron: 130
9 iron: 120
PW: 105
60* W: 45

Three of my biggest problems (of course there are more): Short game (too many 2-putts that could have easily been in 1 and 3-putts), not taking my time (always feeling rushed, and I'm thinking that being a trader might have something to do with it), and, one of the all-time newbie mistakes, not keeping my eye on the ball!

My plan is to: 1) really practice my short game (find a practice range that has this), 2) buy a 52* wedge (or other??) to fill gap between PW and 60*, and 3) try to work on my mental game management to improve time management and ball contact.

Any other recommendations? Thanks for your help!

[CG031]

Just keep working on your game. You have good clubs to build your game on. Short game is the most important. Even though I hit the ball real short like you do, I have a really good short game that makes up for it a lot of time so I can shoot in the low to mid 80's pretty often on a good day.

[FlopShotArtist]

Just keep working on your game. You have good clubs to build your game on. Short game is the most important. Even though I hit the ball real short like you do, I have a really good short game that makes up for it a lot of time so I can shoot in the low to mid 80's pretty often on a good day.

You have some nice clubs and shouldn't need to change any of them too shortly. Don't get equipment happy and buy something you don't need. It'll just give you one more thing to think about.

As CG031 said, work on your short game. As the ol' saying goes "Drive for show, putt for dough." It'll do WONDERS for your game just to work on those chips, pitches, and putts. You should be comfortable that you can at least two putt from everywhere on the green. Best of Luck to you. Oh, and a 53 on your first real round is not bad at all...keep going!

[chigolf07]

Thanks for the replies so far. Something I am also thinking of working a lot on is distance, as my accuracy with drives and iron shots are great.

[CG031]

Thanks for the replies so far. Something I am also thinking of working a lot on is distance, as my accuracy with drives and iron shots are great.

That's currently what I'm working on. I'm just looking to add 10 yards to each club for me.

[rubbery]

Thanks for the replies so far. Something I am also thinking of working a lot on is distance, as my accuracy with drives and iron shots are great.

A lot of that has to do with time and practice. Last year I was hitting my PW about 100 yards, now it's more like 140. I didn't lift weights or anything like that, I just gradually started to hit the ball farther.