Coming back after a LONG layoff..tips? (long introduction)

[saltman]

Hey all, I am new to this site, been trolling for a few days until they allowed me to start a thread. Lots of great threads to read and great to see such a mix of playing ability.

I am seeking some tips on coming back to the game from a long lay off. What have some of you done to get your game back? When I say long lay off, I mean seriously long. I have played about 20 rounds in the last 13 years, 10 of which came last year. It was those 10 rounds last year that got the itch back in me.

A quick backround. I started playing at a very young age ~6 I believe. Throughout my school days I spent every day I could on the course usually 2-3 hours of practice and anywhere from 18-45 holes a day. By the time I was a senior in HS, I had a 2.7 index and was conference champ. After high school I took a whole year off and came back and had one unremarkable season in which I was playing to about a 4.5 index. Then it was adios to the game until late last season. I played only a handful of rounds, usually struggling to break 95 all penalty strokes, spraying the ball wildly. Each time I played it was more embarassing, so the rounds became fewer and further between. There was a stretch of 2 years without a single round. Fast forward to last year and with the help of a friend and some updated technology the swing started to feel better. Ball striking was more consistent, but nt able to score. Low round was 83, still had a lot of rounds in the upper 80s, low 90s, but if you played with me you would swear it was lower.

Here is what I am looking. Some quick/easy tips and drills. I don't really have a home facility I live in downtown Chicago. Unfortunately, not many places to practice the short game, what are some things to think about and how can I maximize those times when I can get some short game practice in?

I am hoping to get 20-30 rounds in this summer. My 1 and only goal, break 80 at least 1 time. Its been so long! Sorry for the long post, but thanks in advance.

Cheers!

[Mr3Putt]

If your index was a low single, you know this game isn't as easy as it should be.

You have the right idea by focusing any available practice time on the short game. That's where the scoring takes place. You say you haven't seriously played since high school, but you give no indication of when that was.. 5 years?, 10? 20+?

I wouldn't dwell so much on "breaking 80", if it happens, fantastic. If not, does it really matter?

In any event, welcome to the boards and back to the game.

[pshizz]

put an empty glass on your floor at your house. Then take 8 golf balls, putting them in a circle about 8 feet from the cup. Then proceed to putt each ball. This is a great practice tip for in home, and also for at the course. Sure your floor is gong to be pretty flat, but sometimes there is a bit of break. Good luck!

[flopdarock]

my cousins live outside of chitown... there are plenty of places outside of the city to practice/play... if you were a low hcp in the past... all you need is to sharpen your skills up a bit... i mean you had it before... if you think you cant or are getting frustrated... id say hook up with a swing coach

[saltman]

LOL....what do you suppose hardwood floors run on the stimp?

What about equipment? Obviously the shots are less consistent with longer clubs, specifically long irons. I have bagged the 2 iron entirely, its pointless. I assume Hybrids have taken their place anyway. Would you recommend a steel shaft in a hybrid to match other irons? Does it matter?

For the poster that asked how long has it been since I played seriously. My last competitive year was 1996, but really 1994 was my last good year.

Also, thanks for the responses so far!

[Dub]

LOL....what do you suppose hardwood floors run on the stimp?

Welcome back to the great game of golf!!!!

I was also out for a few years and just got back into it this past year. My handicap is several strokes higher than when I quit...that is for sure. Also, I have a few more aches and pains than before...but good pre-round stretching and warm up help....if not, then there is always the post-round Advil. The biggest thing I did was to join a course that is within 30 min drive through moderate traffic from the house. The course has super provisions for practice...range, bunker work, chipping green and a putting green. This was the best step I've taken as it gets me playing more often than before and keeps the expense of playing and practicing well down. The next biggest step I took was reconfigured my bag. Out with the players clubs and in with the game improvement sticks. The 460cc drivers with the right shaft for you are simply awesome.....also the right hybrids helped me gain some serious benefits over my 3 and 4 irons. High shots that are 98% carry from long iron distances...from hardpan to rough lies.....oh yeah, getcha' some of that!!! I also said goodbye to some longtime friends...my irons and wedges and replaced them yesterday with moderate game improvement sticks. First round was encouraging with them.... The equipment has really had some intresting developements...mainly the hybrids and the wealth of shafts available for you...along with a huge range in balls. Good luck...hope you find some time to practice. I'm sure you already have some type of indoor putting matt....if not then there's a start.

[alcorn]

Well the bad news is your not 18 anymore but also its not the early to mid 90s any longer either and technology is a hell of alot better than it was. The short answer to you question would be take your clubs to range and just put some time in and it should come back. How ever the fact is, and I'm just guessing here, the majority of us who "aren't 18 anymore" aren't in the same physical shape as we were nor do we have time to put in 18 a day due to work and other responsibilities. Your may have changed but if you were that good then you probably know your golf swing pretty well. Couldn't hurt to take a lesson or two to get ya back in the swing of things. The bad news is that your clubs may be obsolete. I would recommend investing in some new (or fairly new) clubs. Hybrids are good, I just converted to them myself and they strike well and are eeasier to hit. So yeah. Some practice and possibly some new clubs I bet you'll start to get where ya wanna be.

Just out of curiosity, what are you playing club wise?

[saltman]

Thanks again for all the help. I was able to get out on Saturday for a soggy few holes, just getting some swings in, not even keeping score. It was a lot of fun though, haven't been this excited to play in years!

Last year, I did some upgrading of the clubs. I had a 7.5 degree Big Bertha, that was simply unhittable. I don't know how I ever hit that thing. I upgraded to a Titleist D1 Driver 9.5, then I re-configured a very bizarre wedge combination that I never really liked to begin with. I was playing PW, 54, 59. I now have PW, 54, 56, 60. The 56 and 60 are new Cleveland CG12s, so far so good. I really like them. Finally, I added a Nike SQ Dymo 3-wood, which feels great. Last week, I ordered a hybrid, should be here today. Titleist 585 21 degree. Even though this is more like 3-iron loft, in the demo swings, the face is so hot that it plays more like my old 2-iro which is what I was looking for.

Now, I haven't upgraded my irons. I am playing Tommy Armour V-31 Evos, ~10 years old I am guessing. I am not in love with them, but they are easier to hit than my old Staff Fluid Feels! Ultimately, I will probably play the season on these clubs.

[thedoxology]

You are very smart to want to practice short game more than anything else. I came back after a long layoff and found that my swing was still 'acceptable' but my short game was awful.

To maximize short game practice efficiency I do a little game from Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible. Take 10 balls (or however many you want) and practice 30 yard chip shots, fringe chip shots, bunker shots, etc. And give yourself points. If you make it, it's 4 points. 0-3 feet 2 points, 3-6 feet 1 point, outside of 6 feet 0 or -1 depending how hard you want to be on yourself. Record your scores and decide where you need to work the most and watch the trends go lower. It makes the short game quantifiably rewarding and more fun.

[tsbrewers]

It sounds like you are my long lost twin. My story is virtually identical to yours. I was a low single digit in HS, then for about 15 years played about 3 rounds a year. I would go out and expect to shoot par, which of course never happened, and I would get upset and not play again for months.

A couple years ago I finally just told myself to enjoy being out there. Don't worry about shooting par, just relax and enjoy it. almost immediately my game improved some, playing to the mid to high 80's. I still felt that my swing was WAY out of whack, so I decided to start taping myself and try that. when I watched myself I thought it looked ok, but after I posted it to a site online where people could critique it, I actually got some pretty good advise that seemed to be working. By the end of the year I was shooting low to mid 80's and a couple rounds back in the 70's.

I have a ton more I need to work on this year, but I feel like I am moving in the right direction, and am looking forward to playing this year for the first time in many.

Brew