Aim and Fire

[brgolf]

I'm probably playing to about an 8 handicap at present but it's not official.

With pitch/chip shots from 30 yards the distribution I achieve is pretty tight around the pin. I would say the quality of this aspect of my game could rival the average 5 handicapper (other aspects of my play push my HC up). Distance control in my short game is the best bit and although results are acceptable these shots can range from a few yards left to a few yards right of the target.

I would still like to improve these kind of pitch shots, especially my alignment method.

My usual approach to aiming is to look at the shot from behind, approach the ball from behind, to place the club behind the ball as I move to the side and then visualise the shot going towards to target in the hope of properly aligning my shot. Unlike a shot in pool where my chin is rested on the cue and I am looking down the target line, in setting up a golf shot I am move off the target line and around to the side of the ball. The fact that I am facing the ball but not the target in golf is the bit I struggle to get my head around.


In particular I would like any advanced or precise information about how to ensure perfect alignment and aim for these shots.

Accurate putting is another worry. Last round I took 36 putts and to me that sort of figure might denote a 20+ handicap player. I feel that my problem with putting alignment is very similar to the chipping/pitching issue described above. I know my eyes must be over the ball and on the target line. However this may also be a question of technique as I feel that on the actual stroke I am liable to go anywhere from two inches left to two inches right of the hole on a flat 10 feet putt. In my last round I had 1/13 up and downs, missed all 8 ten footers that I had but 3 putted only once. Although I was a bit rusty in that roudn when you piece together the fact that I was chipping onto greens 13 times but also too 36 putts and only 1 three putt- it certainly puts it in perspective.

It is hard to not ask too general a question here but what is your main control factor, the thing that makes you sure that your ten foot put is going to be on line.

I hope my explanations aren't too confusing. Thanks.

[Zeph]

Pick a spot a couple of inches in front of the ball when you stand behind it. When you get over the ball, align the clubface to that target. From there, make sure you don't rotate the clubhead during the swing, which would open or close the clubface. Keep it square to the swing plane.

Same works for the putter regarding aim and alignment. Find a spot in front of the ball on the line you want to start the ball and align the putter face to it.

[Late4ttime]

Another quick fix for putting alignment is to use the logo or lines on the side of the ball (or make your own) and aim them at where you want the ball to start- either at the hole for example- or at the fall line of the break, etc....then line up whatever putter alignment marker is on your putter to the line on the ball. The rest is the stroke.

Late-

[SpacklersEdge]

I would like to other peoples answers on full swing and pitch alignment. To add to the conversation, I stand behind the ball, and pick a target about 1 foot in front of the ball on the line I want, then I approach the ball from the side, placing the club down behind the ball with my right hand and my right foot forward. I assure the grooves are perpendicular to my 1 foot target, then I move my feet into position so that the grooves and shaft are parallel to the line created between my toes, assuring my feet are exactly parallel to the 1 foot target line. Is this correct in peoples opinions?

PUTTING: First off, I think you are correct in assuming 36 putts is too much for a 10 or lower HDCP. To give some numbers, in my last 20 rounds, I am averaging 32.4 putts per round, and I am playing to a 13.1 right now. I have had rounds in these 20 with as low as 27 or 28 putts. So, I actually think my putting is good so I feel okay giving some pointers here. First off, even if your alignment is somewhat off, getting the correct speed should allow you to 2 putt almost every hole. Even if you are a tad off one way or another, if the speed is correct you should finish withing a 3 or 4 foot circle. With putting I do the EXACT same thing as my full swing. I pick a point 1 foot in front, line up the club face, place my feet and I actually visualize the putt moving over my point, being careful not to look up too soon. I actually hold my head down to see where the ball goes in relation to my aiming spot, if it rolls right over it and I miss, I either mis-read or got the speed wrong. Hope that helps. One last note, I am a firm believer that putting setup is unique to you. For example, I put ball WAY forward, otherwise I sometimes pull. I also like to have my weight forward as well. Do whatever you have to to hit it over your aiming point is my advice, and repetition is key.

[brgolf]

Yes the putting is a bit of a fiasco at the minute but it should improve significantly if I pay it some attention. After all if I present any decent putter with 8 chances from 10 feet I'd assume they would want to hole at least 5 and probably 6. So what I am trying to convey is that for lack of holing these putts I'm adding 6+ strokes to my card.

My only other observation from the round is question was watching supremely struck iron shots falling short of greens because I didn't have a rangefinder. I felt that distance was compromised on about 7 occasions in this way. So my problem isn't off the tee, isn't the approach shots (when I buy a rangefinder and fix them), isn't really the chipping because I leave myself inside 10 feet often and sometimes closer- it is putting.

I do like the idea of picking a spot in front of the ball. It is the sort of thing that I've heard about and perhaps implemented before but when you haven't played in a while you tend to forget. I think I am going to go with a spot 2ft in front of the ball for the putts, 2 yards for chips and 3-4 for full swings.

[Zeph]

I do like the idea of picking a spot in front of the ball. It is the sort of thing that I've heard about and perhaps implemented before but when you haven't played in a while you tend to forget. I think I am going to go with a spot 2ft in front of the ball for the putts, 2 yards for chips and 3-4 for full swings.

Just pick whatever works. 2 feet and 2 yards sounds a bit much. All you need to do is find a line that will go straight through your landing point. The spot you are aiming through must be easy to align to while standing over the ball. If that spot is 2 yards ahead, it won't be a whole lot easier to aim through. I pick a spot some inches in front of the ball. I also use it on the tee box, finding a divot or something I can put my ball down behind so it create a straight line to where I want to align.

[saevel25]

I might pick out a previous ball mark, or if the green has different shades of green, pick out a dark or light spot. I line up my putter before taking my stance, that is i will look down the line and make sure its square to the point i picked, then i take my stance to the side.

I do the same for alot of my other shots, were i will pick a spot about 2-3 feet infront of my ball that i can line square up to.

[Harmonious]

Accurate putting is another worry. Last round I took 36 putts and to me that sort of figure might denote a 20+ handicap player. I feel that my problem with putting alignment is very similar to the chipping/pitching issue described above. I know my eyes must be over the ball and on the target line. However this may also be a question of technique as I feel that on the actual stroke I am liable to go anywhere from two inches left to two inches right of the hole on a flat 10 feet putt. In my last round I had 1/13 up and downs, missed all 8 ten footers that I had but 3 putted only once. Although I was a bit rusty in that roudn when you piece together the fact that I was chipping onto greens 13 times but also too 36 putts and only 1 three putt- it certainly puts it in perspective.

Regarding putting, here is a site that has more information than you could ever want regarding putting alignment, stroke, etc.:

http://puttingzone.com/

[Tomboys]

Yes the putting is a bit of a fiasco at the minute but it should improve significantly if I pay it some attention.

From what I've read, the average touring pro converts only @ 30% of their 10-15 footers. That means of the 8 chances that you suggested from 10', they would convert 3. As such, IMO, the 5 or 6 conversion rate (for an amateur) from that distance seems "ambitious". That being said, you could certainly work on improving your putting--heck, we all could. But, don't stop there, keep working on getting those approach, chip and pitch shots closer. Again, going by the average tour pro stats, they tend to be @80% from 5' and in for those putts. So, if you're able to get those shots 5' or in (compared to 10'), you'll start seeing the 5+ out of 8 conversion rate that you're looking for.

[brgolf]

Thanks for the information.

I am one to obsess over statistics so it is good to know what is good, average and bad when it comes to conversion of putts.

Truth be told I must not have been paying much attention to the distances because what I assumed were 10 ft putts were probably 6/7 foot or less. I'd still be surprised at a 30% conversion rate for the pros from 10ft but if that includes up to 13ft putts I can understand.

Tonight I took a bare mat from downstairs which was actually 4 ft long and started putting with a can at the end as my target. We have wooden floors so I had plenty to aid my alignment. I stuck the can on the ground which was only 2" in diameter. 36/50 of the putts hit the can first time round, second time 45/50. All my misses we just left. Then I looked online and realised that a golf hole is 4.25 inches in diameter. The result 50/50.

I read the website linked earlier and one of the facts that struck me most was that the slower the ball in moving the more likely it is to drop. Of course we are all aware of that fact but sometimes these minor points can be easily forgotten. So that was another point I tried to implement and let's face it, inside 4 feet judging the distance isn't a great mystery.

Overall these putts were very short distance but it has been encouraging to know that my stroke is reliable. They are the sort of putts that, but for this exercises, I would have lacked confidence.

Such putts really require only a short stroke and from what I can see a good follow through. The follow through usually eliminated the slight pull I was experiencing at times. Then it is just a matter of alignment with particular attention to getting my eyes over the ball, rather than inside or outside it.

[Tomboys]

Thanks for the information.

I'm glad you found the information helpful. I think all I was trying to say is that based on your handicap, you have to find strokes from all areas of your game in order to improve your scores substantially. I could be wrong, but I think that the USGA (or maybe R&A; since you're in the UK) allocates 2 strokes per hole for putting. In other words, if you hit every green in regulation and two putt every hole, you'd shoot par. So, based on that "allocation", if your putts per round are less than 36, you're doing ok. Where it becomes an issue is when your GIR is low and/or your average distance you are from the hole on your first putt after those shots are long. At that point, if you're taking an extra stroke to reach the green for 9 holes and leaving yourself >5' for a first putt, then the quality of those approach, pitches and chips become more critical. Based on this scenario, that would be 9 over for the round which is very close to your handicap index. So, to me, as I stated earlier, leaving yourself a 10 (or so) footer for par and just working solely on putting will help. But, IMO, a better solution would be to work on putting

in addition tol those approach shots (where you missed the green) and getting those pitches and chips closer to the hole. Now, if you're only making 1 or 2 putts out of 8 attempts from 5' or less, then I would agree that you should spend most of your time with the putter.

[brgolf]

The aspects of my game which would suggest a higher handicap are driving which would equate to that of a typical 12 handicapper, putting as I said 20+ but chipping, pitching, approach shots and iron play again probably down at 5.

I understand your analysis of working on those aspects and I certainly will be doing so. But the main issue about pitching and approach shots is not so much the quality of them as my lack of accurate ranges. In the round in question, on a course I hadn't played before I struck solid shots at the throat of the pin only to see them drop short/long of the green on no less than 10 occasions.

The project I am going to have to get round to one of these days is to get that rangefinder, sort out my yardages and then use it on the course. If I have those perfect yardages and know how far I hit the only problem is going to be misjudging other conditions such as my lie/the wind, mishitting the shots or hitting inconsistent shots. The truth is though my ball striking is typically very good.

The trouble with the notion of 2 putts per hole as per the allocation is that that requires 18 greens in regulation. The thing is due to limitations on range people cannot physically advance the ball to the green in less than the regulation number of shots. From tee to green the allocated number of shots 1 (par3) 2 (par4) 3 (par 5) is usually required to get to the hole. So unless you can reach a par 4 in one or a par 5 in two there is no way to take less than 36 shots in the long game. Whereas when you get to the short game the closer you are to the hole with your allocated 2 putts in hand, the greater your chance of taking only 1 shot to complete the hole.

If a player happened to go round the course with 36 long shots and hit every GIR you say that is the best performance possible. If he took 36 putts you would say that he had missed his chances. As for my game therefore the more GIR I hit the more chances I will have not to take 2 putts but to take 1 putt! Most often I will take 2, sometimes I will take 1 and rarely 3. So getting a rangefinder and hopefully hitting GIR is my solution to that.

If a player happened to go round the course with 36 long shots and just miss every GIR leaving a chip and putt from 20ft in the fringe you'd probably still expect him to take 36 strokes in and about the green. As for my game therefore I still have to get down in 2 if I am off the green. Having to chip means the birdie opportunity is unlikely but considering that my chipping is pretty good the expectation is still to get the ball in the hole in 2. And what has let me down in that regard is my putting.

Hopefully over the next while I can say I have addressed these problems and start to really work my handicap down.

[brgolf]

Here is some more information. The best putters on the PGA Tour take 1.7+ putts per green in regulation or 1 putt 30% of the time. Putts per round according to the PGA stats of 27-28 would be considered very good at the highest level.

However as I have been suggesting already an amateur might well take that many putts if he frequently misses greens in the first place so long as he gets his chips very close.

And here are some of the conversion rates for Tiger Woods:

Putting from 4-8 Ft. 69.8%
Putting Inside 10 Ft. 88.1%
Putting from 10-15 Ft. 42.4%
Putting from 15-20 Ft. 35.7%
Putting from 20-25 Ft. 28.6%
Putting over 25 Ft. 6.4%

[saevel25]

Unless your my friend from our golf league who just layed down 11 putts for 9 holes.. The guy was on fire.. ;b

I think the major difference between pro's and us is the fact we three putt more, we don't have the touch to hit the ball past the hole 10-18 inches, we either leave our putts short or blow it past the hole.