How to hit more greens in regulation & better course management

[Sai-Jin]

I feel that this is where I'm the weakest right now, when the green is about 175yds + which is 7i and above.

I missed so many greens it's not even funny. The only reason I can score in the low 10s is only because I got so used to scrambling up and down with my wedges

and more than half the time, I can 1 putt after the chip.

Those of you with more experience in this field, please give me something to work on.

At one point I treat the approach shots as if I'm on a Par 3, but once I'm against a par 3 that's around 185yards +, I tend to miss the green.

So yes, please give me advice in regards to this and a better course management. I'm sure there are things I'm not even aware of.

Thanks in advance.

[teeitup22]

1) Get in the fairway often

2) Aim for middle of green

3) Hit an extra club but swing easier.

[Sai-Jin]

1. Does the fairway rough count? (sometimes I over shoot)

2. all the time?

3. Swing easier as in 3/4 swing or just swing easy?

[Pablo68]

So you're 175 yards from the green and you're hitting 7 iron? Wow.........

What shaft flex are you using?

[MEfree]

Play shorter tees...I`m half joking but it has "worked" for me recently having hit 14 & 15 GIR (counting the first fringe) my last two rounds with mostly wedges in my hand from the white tees (6500 + 6000 yards at 9 K elevation compared to the tips at 7100 and 6900)

On the technical side, I think I have been hitting it more consistent lately because of improved tempo and trying to replicate shots that I have had success with.  Of course, it is easier to swing easier when you are playing from a tee that you know you don`t have to hit it all that far off of and still have a wedge in...

[Sai-Jin]

Err... I use c-taper s+ and px6.0. What does this have anything to do with my thread?

[Mattplusness]

Well let's start at the beginning.

Are you missing your FIRs?

Or is it that your hitting your FIRs and missing your greens?

[pedro-m-costa]

I find a great tip and a great practice is to put your hands together, palm against palm, straight out so that your elbows are facing the ground, then lift your arms up in the air in front of you, then drop your arms so that they stay almost on top of your chest. Now practice swinging without hitting a ball at first, feel as if your body is turning and your arms, and hands are doing nothing at all do this for 1 hour remember stand as tall as possible do not move your head up down or side to side, and keep your arms tight against your body. This will feel weird at first but then you will be amazed.

[pedro-m-costa]

Always keep your arms relaxed and your elbows close. On the back swing for a right hander, both elbows point to the ground, but I try to think and feel both of my elbows are point against me at all times. YOU MUST TRY THIS. FOR THIS IS FROM BEN HOGAN.

[Sai-Jin]

Originally Posted by Mattplusness

Well let's start at the beginning.

Are you missing your FIRs?

Or is it that your hitting your FIRs and missing your greens?

I hit most of my FIRs. Sometimes I'm a little long and land my balls slightly on the fairway rough.

I miss my greens a lot left or right, specially on a longer par 3 that's about 185yds and longer, which is a 6i for me and up.

So basically my chip shot is my 1st putt.

If it's a green that's around 175yds, I'd say I hit it 50% of the time, so even that is not great.

Lastly, I usually have trouble if the ball is on the high rough, sitting up on the grass as if it's tee'd up, thus I most likely will miss the green by a lot and even hit a mini sky shot with the Hybrid.

[Stevep21]

Your question of should you aim for the middle of the green all of the time, I would say yes until you are hitting it more consistently, if you are missing it often then why even look at the pin, the green is much bigger than a little hole. I score quite well but I know my limits, if I am more than 150-160 yards out I will rarely look at the pin, I will always be looking for my best shot for safety.

For example if I am 175 yards from the middle of the green and there are bunkers at the front of the green I don't know whether to hit a 7 or a 6 iron, I will hit the 6 iron aiming at the centre of the green (basic course management)

When you are aiming at the centre and pull/push it and it goes at the pin try not to think it was a good shot, try to be happier when you execute it perfectly and leave yourself the 20ft putt rather than being happy when you fluke one at the pin :) (when I start getting happy with my lucky shots I start hitting the bad ones because in my head I am wanting to miss my target and get it near the pin). Also if you do have a consistent shape play for it, I have a draw and with my longer irons I almost always aim at the right of the green, If I flush it I'm on the right of the green, If I draw it (my usual shot on the range) I'm in the middle of the green, If I overdo it, I am on the left of the green or in shit to the left of the green (my usual shot on the course) :) but I have cut out anything to the right of the green, I just don't have a slice in me.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Sai-Jin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattplusness

Well let's start at the beginning.

Are you missing your FIRs?

Or is it that your hitting your FIRs and missing your greens?

I hit most of my FIRs. Sometimes I'm a little long and land my balls slightly on the fairway rough.

I miss my greens a lot left or right, specially on a longer par 3 that's about 185yds and longer, which is a 6i for me and up.

So basically my chip shot is my 1st putt.

If it's a green that's around 175yds, I'd say I hit it 50% of the time, so even that is not great.

Lastly, I usually have trouble if the ball is on the high rough, sitting up on the grass as if it's tee'd up, thus I most likely will miss the green by a lot and even hit a mini sky shot with the Hybrid.

If you're consistently hitting 50% GIR from 175 yards and playing off 11, you should put more work into your putting.

What is "fairway rough"?

[Sai-Jin]

You are right, I think it's my ego that overtakes what I can and can't actually do.

I will carefully try to do this next time.

My bad shot has always been a push or a push fade. This happens when I'm unsure of my skill or when I get tired / nervous.

[Sai-Jin]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

If you're consistently hitting 50% GIR from 175 yards and playing off 11, you should put more work into your putting.

What is "fairway rough"?

I meant the high rough on the sides of the fairway. Was just trying to be specific.

[awmgolfer]

Just to address what does your shaft flex have to do with it? If you have a flex to soft you will have a tendency to always go left and to stiff you will go right which is a big part of accuracy. Taking one more club and an easier swing really helps, something I am actually working on right now with the golf team.

[Sai-Jin]

I was fitted, and my shafts are just right.

In fact I just got back from the golf course range and I tried hitting the 150 marker with my 9i... I'm now not sure if it's my aim or my swing, but I hit my balls either right at it, 20 ft right or 20 ft left.

All straight balls. My 6i is the same way.

Sigh... I think it's time to get my fundamentals re-checked.

[teeitup22]

1. Does the fairway rough count? (sometimes I over shoot) 2. all the time? 3. Swing easier as in 3/4 swing or just swing easy?

Fairway rough is fine, you just got to stay out of that deep grass. I would aim for middle of green most of the time unless it's a really easy pin, which usually is front middle. Swing easy but make sure you have enough club. Let me know if this helps.

[MEfree]

Originally Posted by Sai-Jin

I hit most of my FIRs. Sometimes I'm a little long and land my balls slightly on the fairway rough.

I miss my greens a lot left or right, specially on a longer par 3 that's about 185yds and longer, which is a 6i for me and up.

So basically my chip shot is my 1st putt.

If it's a green that's around 175yds, I'd say I hit it 50% of the time, so even that is not great.

Lastly, I usually have trouble if the ball is on the high rough, sitting up on the grass as if it's tee'd up, thus I most likely will miss the green by a lot and even hit a mini sky shot with the Hybrid.

50% from 175 is good for an 11 capper.  From 175 to 200 the top PGA player this year is Bubba at just under 69% with Davis Love at 37%.  From 150 to 175, the numbers range from 46% to 74%.  Hitting half our greens, you and me should both be better than 11 cappers.

Originally Posted by Sai-Jin

I was fitted, and my shafts are just right.

In fact I just got back from the golf course range and I tried hitting the 150 marker with my 9i... I'm now not sure if it's my aim or my swing, but I hit my balls either right at it, 20 ft right or 20 ft left.

All straight balls. My 6i is the same way.

Sigh... I think it's time to get my fundamentals re-checked.

In many ways, I think it is harder to play a straight ball that could go right or could go left.  Lots of golfers have improved their games when they have been able to mostly eliminate half of the golf course.  With a mid to long iron in, I think it is much easier if you can confidently aim at the left side of the green knowing that your shot is likely to either go straight or turn right (for me a draw) than aim at the middle not knowing whether it is going left or right.