Stuck in a circular rut...

[ryohazuki222]

Obviously, golf is a pretty circular game. Driver connects to irons connects to wedges connects to putting. Let's say I'm missing a lot of putts.... do I spend time practicing with the putter trying to extend my makeable range or do I spend time with the wedge trying to close in on my avg distance to the hole. I hope this makes my point clear.... it's just an example.


Right now I don't know what to do and I'm looking for suggestions -- let me explain:


Being relatively new to the sport, I still have plenty to work on overall. Due to many reasons I've worked on my game pretty generally from the green to the tee. And it's worked well so far.... but now I have issues.

I've extended my "good chance to par" range up to about 150. Past that and it turns into "most likely a bogey" territory. The issue is I never really get the ball into the 150 and in zone off the tee. And constantly trying to get up and down all day wears down my short game. I can hold on in the beginning, on most days I'm not mentally tough enough to scramble all day.

I've been of the opinion SO FAR that I should just work on the wedge game over and over and over until I feel like getting up and down with a wedge in my hand isn't a big worry.

But lately, I've been thinking that maybe I've just reached my limit on the short game for the time being, and that I need to step back, and learn how to get some proper controlled distance going with the driver (by far the biggest weakness right now)

So what do you guys think. Should I stick with "short game short game short game" or is it about time to seriously work on teeing off so I'm not trying to "save" par after seemingly every tee shot?

[BigBoy]

I have worked really hard on my short game the past few months, and it has paid off in terms of saving 3-4 strokes a round... but, to get to the next level I'm realizing that I need to work on my long game and get more GIRs. Most of us will never have a 'world class' short game that we can really count on to get up and down enough for making up for lacking GIR in anyway that will really take us to the next level. Here is an exerpt I copied from an older internet article I found on the subject -

he study shows that a person’s average score is very closely tied to the average number of greens hit in regulation. For a particular number of greens hit in regulation on average, a person’s score will be within a range of four shots – no more and no less. For example, the study showed that a person who averages three GIR will average between 87 and 91. Almost no one who averages three GIR will average more or less than this scoring range. This means that the person who averages three GIR and has a lousy short game will average 91, while the golfer who has a great short game will average 87. Now, four shots is a significant difference and should not be ignored. The short game is indeed important. However, golfers who want to go from averaging 89 to 80 must improve their ballstriking. Unfortunately, too many teachers are under the belief that bogey golfers can shoot 80 if they can just improve their short game. This is simply not the case. To average 80, a golfer must hit at least 6.5 GIR on average, and that is with a great short game. Most who average 80 will average around 7.5 GIR, according to the study.

[ryohazuki222]

thanks. great article.... I like the different stance on the subject. when I get the chance I'm definitely looking through my old stats and seeing if that holds true.


Also, today I played 9 holes before dark and hit the best 2 drives ive hit all May! All it did was push me more towards working on the driver. I creamed probably what I think is the best drive I've ever hit.... left me about 20 yards from the pin on a 340 yd uphill par 4 (yet... its a slight dogleg, so it's not like I hit the thing 320). I rolled in a nice birdie putt.

On hole 9, I found my swing again... ended up in great position about 125 away from the center. I lipped out my birdie putt and tapped in the par.

It's just so much easier to play golf when my thought process on the second shot is "how do I want to get on the green?".... instead of the usual "can this even make it to the green?"

Has anyone taken lessons specifically to gain distance with the driver? how did it work out if so?

[ks8829]

Practice should be 85% short game, including putter and 10% mid iron 5% fairway and driver

If you alway practice from the hole backwards you can not go wrong.

Try to focus on making solid consistent contact with your wedge game from 30-50 yards and you can translate that golf swing to your 150 - 200 yards out, including your driver.

I focus on my backswing and how I am taking the club back and once I am hitting pure shots, then I am using the same backswing for my fairway and driver club and it works for me.

In summary, keep working on the short wedge game and you will develop the swing for the driver and fairway.

[ryohazuki222]

I've definitely noticed some correlation between wedgeplay and driving.... but it stopped helping. The wedge is the only club that I feel I'm consistently good with. So why can't I drive the ball?

In any case.... I try not to read golf magazines for tips..... but after reading the sergio garcia article my driving has improved tremendously. It's made golf so much easier it's laughable.

Whereas before, when I was scoring well, it was only because I scrambled like crazy or putt very very well. Now, I'm making those same scores scrambling poorly and by just putting ok. And because of that, I don't mentally crash from stressing out about having to get up and down everytime.

NOW.... I feel it's time to go back to practicing the short game like I used to. If I can hit like I am now and have the short game I had a little while back before I tried to focus on other parts of my game I should be an 80s golfer soon instead of a high 80s/90s golfer.

...... Just figured I'd update the thread with my new opinion in case anyone else is in the same boat.

[shankapotamus]

Obviously, golf is a pretty circular game. Driver connects to irons connects to wedges connects to putting. Let's say I'm missing a lot of putts.... do I spend time practicing with the putter trying to extend my makeable range or do I spend time with the wedge trying to close in on my avg distance to the hole. I hope this makes my point clear.... it's just an example.

Next time you play, instead of keeping tracks of putts like you normally do, put the distanced. For examples, instead of writing a 2, write 11,3. That way you know whether it's the approach shots or your putter.

Also, I would suggest a lesson from a pro to help you with your swing.