Short Game Instructor in So. Cal.?

[SVTGolfer]

So Im tired of messin around. I wanna go low! Single digit handicap low! Ive been a 13 handicap long enough, and I feel like my swing is developing enough to really start playing some great golf. But my short game is severally lacking to go low. That includes my putting. I do have a swing instructor, and he's been great for my overall swing, but when it comes to short game, well… He doesn't quite cut it. Ive gotten a lesson or two from him for my short game and got nothing out of it, unfortunately. So I think I need to look elsewhere for a short game instructor.

Is there a really good short game and/or putting instructor that someone can recommend in the Southern California area (not LA)?? Thanks.

[mvmac]

Just from my personal experience, Dana Dahlquist in Long Beach is really good.  Bob Townsend in San Diego as well.  Bob's got one of the best wedge games I've ever seen.  Really good with getting you to use the bounce for wedges, be able to hit shots off a putting green with no divot :)  Dana and Bob also have great green reading knowledge.  Very similar information in this thread

I haven't met but know of Phil Rodgers at the Grand in Del Mar

Here's Dana hitting some pitches

[SVTGolfer]

Thanks! Ill look into those. They're both a bit far from me, but ill check them out and see.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by SVTGolfer

Thanks! Ill look into those. They're both a bit far from me, but ill check them out and see.

Yeah, sorry, I kind of figured they would be a little ways away

[The Recreational Golfer]

If you're a 13, I would guess your skills are good enough right now to be a 9 just by not wasting shots by making poor decisions, choosing only shots you can commit to, having a plan for the hole instead of playing Hit-and-Hope, etc. I can almost guarantee you lose two strokes per side because of these things and others like them.

There's nothing wrong with getting a better short game, but learning how to play golf is a better choice from where you are.

[sk golf]

Originally Posted by SVTGolfer

Thanks! Ill look into those. They're both a bit far from me, but ill check them out and see.

Not all golf instruction is equal.  I would make the drive.  That's just me though.

[SVTGolfer]

Originally Posted by The Recreational Golfer

If you're a 13, I would guess your skills are good enough right now to be a 9 just by not wasting shots by making poor decisions, choosing only shots you can commit to, having a plan for the hole instead of playing Hit-and-Hope, etc. I can almost guarantee you lose two strokes per side because of these things and others like them.

There's nothing wrong with getting a better short game, but learning how to play golf is a better choice from where you are.

I would somewhat agree with you, however, IF I had to pinpoint an aspect of my game where I lose the most strokes, its with my putter. I can count probably on one hand the times ive been "a good putter." And those are the times ive won some big tournaments, including last years Club Championship. Tee to green I do ok. I come up short a lot. I have a hard time with pulling the longer club and making the shot. I have a mental block about going long. But Im ok coming up short of the green if I can just chip it in close. I realized during my last round that I need to go to a softer ball. I swear, I landed my ball 6 inches from the cup several times and it just rolled out to 20 feet. And I have a very high ball flight as well. I need a ball that going to check once and stop. I guess if I didnt have so many 20+ putts I'd probably make more…

[The Recreational Golfer]

Try playing one round where you say, "What the heck. I'm going to hit the ball past the flag and not care what happens." You might find out that it's not all that bad.

Another way around it is to decide what club would put the ball on the back edge of the green and take one club less than that. Most greens are around 30 yards deep. There's a lot of room for error.

As for chipping, you might try changing your strategy to running the ball up to the hole instead of flying it up there. Make the ball roll to the hole like an approach putt instead of it falling out of the sky.