Practice 4-18

[chilly]

Hit the course with intent on just chipping and putting today. Agenda was to hit one shag bag (60 balls) from three locations around a green, one short chip to uphill, one short chip to downhill, one longer uphill. Basically, worked on fundamentals (feet together, stance open, choke down, weight forward). Worked on my rhythm and making clean contact and was doing very well with the uphill, many "up and down" opportunities.

Second set, short chip to downhill cup. This was very tough with my 52*, had to land it on the first cut or it would run 10ft past the cup. Hit it a touch short, and it would hit the second cut and hang up, leaving a nasty 10ft downhill putt. To be honest, the 52* was too touchy, I need to find another club for this scenario. But, i was more interested in how I handled "touchy" chips like this, as I will often decel. I hit many of these well and worked on understanding how opening the face changes trajectory, and more importantly, spin. I'll have to work with other clubs from this spot to figure out what works best for me, thinking the 56* is logical choice.

Third set, longer chip with 13yd or so on to the green. This is something that I rarely practice because if there are other people on the green, these can be tough. Felt very good, concentrated on fundamentals and was hitting a lot of solid shots. Learned that if I keep my left wrist very firm, ball rolls out more, if I am a little softer with the left wrist, the ball will spin more and land softer even with the same trajectory.

Hit a bunch of 50-70yd half wedges. Never felt comfortable, hitting a bunch fat, or just slid the club under the ball. Finally figured out I was letting right arm take over and hitting them almost like a short chip, with right hand staying palm up. Hit a few good ones at the end.

Putting green was mobbed after this, due to a tourney going on today, so I didn't putt.

Hit the range to work on tempo. What I did here to put more "pressure" on the swing is to not let myself stop with a club until I hit 5 good shots in a row. Normally, but #5 I'd tighten up and screw up the shot. This went pretty well, 5wd off the deck stayed consistent which is very rare. Also, at the end I decided to hit one drive to see if I could pull it off. I was loose, but normally I'll botch the first Driver shot on the range. Concentrated on tempo and keeping my right elbow tucked and hammered it. We'll see how this translates tomorrow on the course.