Scoring.

[Philip9210]

I played today, and my ball striking has been much improved from last season, yet I scored higher than I did the last round of last year by 6 strokes. I am having trouble scoring well(probably in part due to the high number of 3 putts I have). I currently have a starter set of golf clubs and the putter is a mallet type putter, but it seems to be quite hard and the ball doesn't feel very good off the face. Any inexpensive putters I should look in to? Also, are there any books that will help me with short game, that is what is killing me, I am getting on the green or fringe in 3-5, but once 50 yds and in, I begin to lose strokes and quick. Thanks guys!

EDIT: Also, I only have a pitching wedge, should I purchase some wedges? Would that possibly help me form a little closer in?

[moadhia]

My suggestion, buy a new putter. Your putter is the most important equipment in your bag and thus it should be the one you should be most comfortable with. You should also look into buying a sand wedge (its between 54 to 56 degree). How far you hit your pitching wedge will give you an indication of how many wedges you need ? If you hit your pitchign wedge 80 - 90 yards, your sand wedge would probably go 60-70 with a full swing. Then start practicing shots 100 yards and in.

[WUTiger]

Books on the short game... Do some searches within the Sand Trap site here. We have had tons of discussions about resources to help with chipping, putting, and wedging.

[ks8829]

practice putting everyday with distance control so that you can control your distance putts of 5, 10 and 20 feet. This will help you eliminate your three putting.

Watch some short game tips on You Tube, then practice all your time on the short game and watch your scores lower. The best way to lower your scores is to practice from the hole backwards, so putting, chipping from around the green and pitching within 10,20,30,40,50 yards.

Practicing the short chips and pitches will also helping you practice making solid contact in the hitting zone that will benefit your overall golf swing and ball stricking skills.

[Philip9210]

I bought a range card today for 30$ for 10 tokens which will end up being around 400 balls. Today I used this to start up a new practice routine, 1hr, hit half to 3/4 of the balls to the 75 and 50 pin in the range, then hit the others with my 5iron 7iron and driver(will rotate this as I become more consistent). 30-45 mins, work on pitch shots/ chips from 10-20 yds at the practice green and practice putting. Any putting drills that I should try? The putting green isn't very good, it's really hard and a really fast green, but I'm sure it will help more than not even practicing :D Thanks guys!

[drglew]

On a different note, Philip9210 what brand/type of ball are you playing? If you're playing a "distance" ball it may feel like a rock off the putter, and also make pitches/chips (esp if greens are fast) a bit more challenging as everything will roll out much more and not check up. Trying a premium ball (aka premium balls like ProV1 and many others--i personally like the Taylormade TP series) might be an interesting experiment if you're not using one.

[Philip9210]

I'm using a mix of Callaway Blue(Bought them on sale because they were discontinuing them), and Titleist HP Performance. The other day my father and I were playing and he found a Pro V and gave it to me, and I played it for 3-4 holes(of course there had to be a hole with a straight forest on the right ;) ). I played it and I really liked the way it felt, but I just can't warrant spending 5$ on a ball yet.

[ks8829]

Keep track of how many putts per hole and 9 holes and 18 holes.
Keep track of how many times you get up and down around the green and within 100 yards to one putt to save par, save boogie or make birdies.