Game's Improving Nicely

[Bullitt5339]

Went and played 9 holes this afternoon, since the weather was perfect. I was very happy with most of my game, there's only one thing that's killing me........... Pitching and Chipping.

Here's some of my stats from today:

Fairways - 7 out of 9 (best ever)
Greens In Regulation - 2
Putts - 15
Score - 46

My wedges are killing me a slow and painful death. I work and work and work on them, and just can't seem to get them down here lately. I know that once the season really kicks off, my handicap is going to suffer badly. If I figured it out right now, I'd probably be near a 25. I ordered a book on short game that was recommended by someone here. I hope I can apply and work it into my game. I gave up so many GIRs and Pars today because of an errant wedge shot into the green.

So, how do you practice your wedges? If I could get my wedges up where the rest of my game is, I'd be shooting 10 strokes lower per round, and would be in the low 80's consistantly.

[RIduffer]

I took a lesson early last summer and it helped my pitching and chipping alot. The main things I remember were: weight forward, head still, very little hand/wrist action. The pro taught me a basic shot where you hinge the wrists a bit on the backswing, but then just try to hold that angle and turn through the ball. Phil Mickelson calls this idea "hinge and hold" or something.

I really need to review these ideas, because my short game has gotten sloppy. I used to have alot of confidence anywhere inside 100 yards when I was focusing on these keys.

You asked, "How do you practice your wedges?" Well, I used to bring my dog to a park where I could hit shots up to around 60 yards. No one wants to waste their precious range balls hitting 30 yard shots, so find an open field, or a pitch and putt course.

[Bullitt5339]

I can hit up to 80 yards at my house, the problem isn't the place, it's my ability to hit good shots. I just need a routine. My last lesson really helped out my driver and fairway woods, which I was having a huge problem with. Maybe I just need to break down and take another couple lessons to help my chipping and pitching, although getting those shots back isn't going to be as easy as straightening out my woods.

It really feels like I'm starting all over again.

[Randy4h]

Here's a 2-minute video that might help:

Good Luck!

[RIduffer]

I can hit up to 80 yards at my house, the problem isn't the place, it's my ability to hit good shots. I just need a routine. My last lesson really helped out my driver and fairway woods, which I was having a huge problem with. Maybe I just need to break down and take another couple lessons to help my chipping and pitching, although getting those shots back isn't going to be as easy as straightening out my woods.

That's funny, I think most people would say straightening out the woods is more difficult than getting consistent with chipping/pitching. Anyway, one thing I wanted to add to what I said before is the idea of "acceleration". I think when our confidence starts to disappear, we get tentative and often decelerate on short shots (which leads to worse results).

[Bullitt5339]

That's funny, I think most people would say straightening out the woods is more difficult than getting consistent with chipping/pitching. Anyway, one thing I wanted to add to what I said before is the idea of "acceleration". I think when our confidence starts to disappear, we get tentative and often decelerate on short shots (which leads to worse results).

I guess I'm an odd one then. I hit my woods extremely well now that I've had a couple lessons, I even hit my irons a lot better than my scores indicate. It's just those damn wedges.............lol

I think you're 100% correct on the confidence factor. On the occasion that I do hit a nice pitch, headed straight for the hole, it's always short. My tendency is to skull wedge shots all the way across the green about 3 feet off the ground. I dread every time I can't take a full swing with my wedges, and it does get into my head, I'm sure, which makes things worse. I did call my instructor today to see if the weather's nice tomorrow during lunch, if he could squeeze me in for an hour and give me some things to work on and to practice. There's a tournament coming up, and I'd really love to shoot a few strokes under my handicap on that day, and I can as long as my wedges will work with me. I would really love to shoot in the 80's for the 1st time this year during that tournament. I can do it easily, I just need work on my game from 60 yards into the green.

[Rexx]

One thing I would add to the video above about "set and hold" is that the left elbow should be pointing just left of target at impact for chips and pitch shots (might be true for all shots). With the wrist hinge, it may feel like the clubface is open, but by impact it will have squared up. Use mostly shoulder motion to swing the club, especially on the forward swing. A lot of people struggle because they return to their orginal setup position of the left elbow pointing close to the left hip resulting in fat and thin shots when the wrists unhinge too early. Good luck.