Practice Routines

[JKilgore44]

Okay, I've been playing a lot lately and I haven't got to spend much time at the range. I've been hurting myself on the course with my wedges. I feel like I should be hitting it closer to the pin when I'm inside 100yds and leaving myself shorter birdie putts. Today I am going to the range and I want to hear about certain practice routines you all use to improve your short game.

I'm thinking about buying two buckets today and keeping one strictly for wedges. Any better thoughts?

[lamebums]

That could work--I don't have the stamina in the summer heat to hit two buckets of balls, but I buy the largest one possible, and hit at least 50 wedge shots at first. I'll hit 20, 30, 50, 70, and 100 yard chips and pitches with all three wedges (except the 60 degree wedge - my max range is 80). Then I'll hit full pitching wedge shots, and then a 7 iron, and on up to driver.

[Shindig]

Okay, I've been playing a lot lately and I haven't got to spend much time at the range. I've been hurting myself on the course with my wedges. I feel like I should be hitting it closer to the pin when I'm inside 100yds and leaving myself shorter birdie putts. Today I am going to the range and I want to hear about certain practice routines you all use to improve your short game.

Does your course have a short game practice area? You would do better practicing chipping and putting using the balls you use to play. I used to spend a great deal of time chipping range balls, only to realize that it didn't translate to the course.

I realize that won't happen with your wedge approaches, unless your short game area is 100 yards long.

[JKilgore44]

that's a really good point. I spend a lot of time hitting pitch shots with range balls only to realize that they don't react the same way as my "game" balls. This area of my game is really hurting my score. I've been making improvements, but I'm still not consistently getting up and down.

[Matt P]

If you have a short game practice range at your course or a facility close by you can buy a whole bunch of the balls you typically play from a re-seller (used balls, but in good shape) for a steep discount to use for pratice. The facility by me gives you range balls, but usually there is a mix of range and older regular ball.

But if you buy x-outs or used balls matching the brand you play, don't forget to get the shag bag. I think rock bottom golf sells the bag filled with balls, but I may be mistaken.

[Shindig]

But if you buy x-outs or used balls matching the brand you play, don't forget to get the shag bag. I think rock bottom golf sells the bag filled with balls, but I may be mistaken.

As far as practicing my short game, the shag bag has been a big help. When I use UCLA's pitching area, it encourages me to hit all my shots well and to the same region so that I don't have to walk much to pick 'em all up Something that I've found has helped my short game (although I need to go play a few regulation rounds so that my handicap can reflect this) is playing executive and par-3 courses, especially the ones with a small handful of short holes.

[JKilgore44]

Man it really sucks because my home course (The Texas A&M; campus course) doesn't have very good practice facilities and no par-3 course. As a matter of fact, the entire town doesn't have any practice facilities. I am limited to on-the-course practice and range balls . To compensate, I'll try to practice as many different shots as I can on the 18th hole at about 8:00 when I'm finishing and nobody else is out there.