You're so right

[Macmike2112]

Been lurking a lot on hear, reading what to practice most. Most people say 100 yds and in, and having played again a few days ago, these people couldn't be more right.
Example: First hole of the day. Finally think its THAT day. I tee off, 3W sliced pretty bad. When I walk up, it's not too bad and bring out the trusty 5W. From about 220 out, I hit a bomb [for me at least] about 15 yards from the green, middle of the fairway. I'm pretty pumped, hopefully gonna start the day off with a rare par. Walk up to my ball, pretty confident, pull out the SW and give it a whack, just trying to get it close. Of course, I shank it way left, sputtering along the ground into the rough around the green. Chip out and two put turns my par into a double bogey.

Conclusion: I'll be practicing chipping, putting, and in general shots from inside 100 yds more often.

Thanks guys, you were right

[MiniMoe]

The course I play had a 36 hole par 3 tournament today. Most of the holes were around 90-105 yards. I looked at some of the scores and noticed how many 2-5 handicappers shot well over par. These same guys always tell me that if they could hit the ball as far and as straight as me, they would shoot the scores I do. They had 15 holes with the ball in the middle of the fairway and less than 110.... and shot the same scores (relative to par) that they always do. I hope they finally realize it is not all about the driver. You have to get the ball on the green and don't three putt.... even par.

[brgolf]

The course I play had a 36 hole par 3 tournament today. Most of the holes were around 90-105 yards. I looked at some of the scores and noticed how many 2-5 handicappers shot well over par. These same guys always tell me that if they could hit the ball as far and as straight as me, they would shoot the scores I do. They had 15 holes with the ball in the middle of the fairway and less than 110.... and shot the same scores (relative to par) that they always do. I hope they finally realize it is not all about the driver. You have to get the ball on the green and don't three putt.... even par.

I played my local par 3 recently and walked away with the same conclusion.

I simply did not get the ball on the green frequently enough to give myself birdie chances. I have also learned to be more critical about my game around the greens. Although many of my chip shots were adequate I soon began to realise that chips from the fringe that left me 10 foot putts were unacceptable. Plus I needed a better putting routine to make sure I do not underhit/overhit putts.

[Greg]

I just played a local par 3 course last night(lighted) at governors run in Carlyle Illinois Was a totally different experience. I played I think 21 holes(stopped keeping score after 18), as they told me you can play as many holes as you want as long as you leave before midnight. I didnt play the front 9 very well, shot 13 over and only made one par. The back nine was much better as i shot only 5 over. A lot of the holes were very short ranging in length from 77 to 150 yards and I walked for the first time in a long time playing as it wouldnt have been much of a benefit to ride as you would still have had to walk quite a bit. I pulled all my clubs out of my bag except 6-pw, sw and putter when i started to lighten my bag as I knew i wouldnt need the rest after I saw the scorecard. In fact there were only 2 holes where i needed anything more than an 8 iron and none longer than 135 yards on back nine, which is a strong 8 iron for me. Was a challenge hitting the green on the shorter holes as I dont hit my sw very well and rely exclusively on varying how hard i hit my pw on shots under 100 yards but after the first nine I did pretty well, though i still went long on some of the shorter ones but at least did no worse than bogey except one 5 where i 3 putted. For the most part my short game is pretty good and it was fun to test it. I basically played until i got tired, pace of play for a par 3 is fast and played 18 in about 90 minutes. It was nice and cool, slight breeze, great night to play. I will do it again soon.

[MiniMoe]

it's good to practice different shots from shorter distances. Yesterday I hit a lot of PW's from 100 yards. Normally, it is my 120-135 club. But hitting a lot of half shots helped me get the ball close more often. One thing I noticed with the other players is that they always want to hit a very full shot, pushing the max distance a SW or a GW. When they do they, the misses are more severe. My hitting a PW from 100-110 helped me get my miss hit shots pretty close, where the other guys are way off the green with a full shot.