Breaking Bad Club - A Thread for Golfers Trying to Break 100

[late347]

Congrats on the no lost balls.

thank you sir! May I enquire as to your own rounds this week, was there anything particularly good going on this week?

The good thing about my 107 score was that I had a quite balanced round. I only had two blown up holes across 18. Also putting was good.

The bad shot types which cost me some strokes was regular chip shots and short range lob shots. I chunked, it seemed, almost half of my chip shots and lob shots. It wasn't a pretty sight I can assure you that. Ideally you would always want to get closer to the pin in those kind of shots...

Also the gross score 107 was masked a little bit by the fact that I'm playing only stableford format thusfar. It's a hole-by-hole based scoring format for golf, so it doesn't punish you so much with overall bigger score. The reason behind the forgiveness is because stableford awards good results like bogies and pars with quite many points, and big stroke counts don't get any worse than a simple zero point.

I made a pretty amazing par yesterday in my opinion. I hit about let's say 200m 3-iron off the tee. Second shot was sadly worse with a mid-iron from rough, the shot makes a pull fade type of flight and rolls into the green bunker.

Third shot with a 56deg wedge goes almost in the hole! Tap in par putt! I had sand in my mouth and eyes. Even inside my pockets too! That bunker sand just flies everywhere sometimes.

[Gipper]

thank you sir! May I enquire as to your own rounds this week, was there anything particularly good going on this week? The good thing about my 107 score was that I had a quite balanced round. I only had two blown up holes across 18. Also putting was good. The bad shot types which cost me some strokes was regular chip shots and short range lob shots. I chunked, it seemed, almost half of my chip shots and lob shots. It wasn't a pretty sight I can assure you that. Ideally you would always want to get closer to the pin in those kind of shots... Also the gross score 107 was masked a little bit by the fact that I'm playing only stableford format thusfar. It's a hole-by-hole based scoring format for golf, so it doesn't punish you so much with overall bigger score. The reason behind the forgiveness is because stableford awards good results like bogies and pars with quite many points, and big stroke counts don't get any worse than a simple zero point. I made a pretty amazing par yesterday in my opinion. I hit about let's say 200m 3-iron off the tee. Second shot was sadly worse with a mid-iron from rough, the shot makes a pull fade type of flight and rolls into the green bunker. Third shot with a 56deg wedge goes almost in the hole! Tap in par putt! I had sand in my mouth and eyes. Even inside my pockets too! That bunker sand just flies everywhere sometimes.

I will not get to play until tomorrow night. Busy week of work. I am awful in the sand...also great par... I am not even brave enough to hit a 3 iron

[briannn]

What brought me even close enough to 100 to join this thread was two consecutive lessons on driving, a week apart, and six buckets of balls. Hit on different days.  I still fall back into a slice now and then, but I understand why, usually I am overanxious and try to hit it too hard and lose posture, and I am getting much better at preventing it.

Sounds like you have/had the same problems as me . Had a lesson today and will have some more practise tomorrow

[pecos24]

Yesterday I learned the importance of practice...

Before yesterday I had not played or practiced since last Wednesday.  When I got to the course I found out I had just over an hour to play the front 9 because of Tuesday night women's league. So I rented a cart and did my version of speed golf. It was ugly. I finished the front in 55 minutes but with a 57.  The back 9 was more leisurely and I shot a 54.  I really struggled with my swing until about the last 3 holes.

I two big problems I figured out but too late.  My grip was bad, hands were too far right.  And my swing plane was bad, outside in.

In any case before I hit the course again I am going to make sure and hit the range and hopefully be more prepared.

The quest continues....

[isukgolf]

@pecos24 I agree with range time ... do you have something to practice?  Practice should have a purpose

Sorry just to lazy to search ... have you posted a "my swing" ... I finally took the plunge ... going the range tonight to work on the suggestions

[Gerald Fritz]

Just got back from playing today, and finally broke 100 and shot a 98, Putting was average, hit a few shots fat that cost me a couple strokes as well. Good news about today though...I ended up in deep bunkers twice, and both times hit it out easily, which has me giddy with excitement because I suck at bunker shots.

Basically, I need to work on my short game a bunch and get some more consistency with my woods and irons.

[pecos24]

@pecos24 I agree with range time ... do you have something to practice?  Practice should have a purpose

Sorry just to lazy to search ... have you posted a "my swing" ... I finally took the plunge ... going the range tonight to work on the suggestions

@isukgolf I have been taking some lessons this summer and I do have some things I can practice.  The thing I really need to work on is getting my swing more inside out then outside in.  At my last lesson the things I was told to work on were keeping my lower body stable, keeping my arms in and swinging out.

And no, I have not posted to the "My Swing" thread yet.  I think I will wait until after my last lesson this year.

[pecos24]

Just got back from playing today, and finally broke 100 and shot a 98, Putting was average, hit a few shots fat that cost me a couple strokes as well. Good news about today though...I ended up in deep bunkers twice, and both times hit it out easily, which has me giddy with excitement because I suck at bunker shots.

Basically, I need to work on my short game a bunch and get some more consistency with my woods and irons.

Great job Gerald!  Congrats on the 98.

[Bridge]

Yesterday was bad, regressed to 110, ugh

Today I backed off on my driver, kept the 3 wood in the bag.....

My short game has been okay (for me), I've been getting complements "for a guy thats only been playing a year you have a nice touch inside of a hundred"

Okay I was "bombing" the greens today (for me) with my irons, I'll say 6-8 shots from 60-100 yards that just were awesome

Added it all up and I slayed my dragon today = shot an 89 . Not  typo, I shot an honest 89, including 2 penalty strokes

[lowriderjim]

New poster, been lurking for awhile.

I just needed to brag.  I am coming off of five years

of medical problems and just started playin again last year.

Been shooting 50-54 a side,

Shot 43 today and douibled the last two holes.

Now I just have to shoot 45 or less for "proovies tomorrow.

I will post tomorrow.

[Lihu]

New poster, been lurking for awhile.

I just needed to brag.  I am coming off of five years

of medical problems and just started playin again last year.

Been shooting 50-54 a side,

Shot 43 today and douibled the last two holes.

Now I just have to shoot 45 or less for "proovies tomorrow.

I will post tomorrow.

Welcome to the TST and thanks for becoming a non-lurker.

Enjoy posting more things, and congratulations on your score today!

[Moppy]

Added it all up and I slayed my dragon today = shot an 89. Not  typo, I shot an honest 89, including 2 penalty strokes

Wow, skipped the breaking 90 thread completely!

[indykappa]

An 89?!  Somebody get this ringer outta here!  LOL

Nice work Bridge

[indykappa]

I have been trying to get a better practice routine together.  Normally, I go and purchase the big bucket (roughly 90 balls), and just get to swinging.  I do start with my PW and work my way up to the driver (usually just using the odd numbered clubs).

Recently, I tried something different.  Before I even pulled out of my driveway, I grabbed my SW, GW, and PW...that's it.  I left everything else at the house.  I got my usual big bucket-o-balls, and worked on nothing but my wedges.  Full shots.  Half shots.  Chips.

The last time I played, I shot like a 108, but that was because my driver was ALL OVER THE PLACE.  From 120yds in, I actually played really well.  My putting is a bit hairy right now, but I have incorporated a claw grip recently (so that's the excuse that I'm sticking to for all missed putts at this point)

Next time I hit the range, I may just take my middle irons.  Or I may go back and put in some major wedge work again.

[Lihu]

Yesterday was bad, regressed to 110, ugh

Today I backed off on my driver, kept the 3 wood in the bag.....

My short game has been okay (for me), I've been getting complements "for a guy thats only been playing a year you have a nice touch inside of a hundred"

Okay I was "bombing" the greens today (for me) with my irons, I'll say 6-8 shots from 60-100 yards that just were awesome

Added it all up and I slayed my dragon today = shot an 89. Not  typo, I shot an honest 89, including 2 penalty strokes

Seriously, you beat the odds.

http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/understanding_handicap/articles/deanstable.html

The most likely explanation is that you are capable of much better scores than 100s, and that your actual handicap is not that large. If I had to guess you are probably in the 18 handicap range, but just make lots of mistakes that rack up your normal score.

[Always an 80]

For me it's don't swing hard ... Let the club do the work ... And I have swing inside out (try to swing towards right field ... I don't really, but cuts down on slice)

The other is don't track your total score (too much pressure), and play the swing you are about hit ... Not the next one or the last one ... Make current the best you can do ... All the others don't matter ...

Oh and I try to hit away from danger ... And in iSuk Golf when all else fails, drink profusely ...

Many of these posts are excellent.  I like the "don't swing hard" advice quit a bit in this one.  On a bad day I simply shorten my back swing.

If nothing seems to really help then I get a 6 pack as well.  If I'm destined that day to play like I'm hammered, then I should at least enjoy a few!

[treebound]

Seriously, you beat the odds.

http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/understanding_handicap/articles/deanstable.html

The most likely explanation is that you are capable of much better scores than 100s, and that your actual handicap is not that large. If I had to guess you are probably in the 18 handicap range, but just make lots of mistakes that rack up your normal score.

This pretty much sums me and my game up very well.

[Moppy]

I tried and tried to will myself to swing from inside out, with only modest success, whenever I really smacked one it was a towering banana slice, otherwise a "pronounced fade". Then I took a lesson and he told to take the club back like I was emptying a bucket of water. This sort of forces you to swing from inside out. Try it for just five balls. See what happens. If it works for you, then groove it in until anything else feels strange.

I had three tendencies, I tended to "lose posture" in my swing, pulling away the club face before striking the ball, contributing to a slice.

I came in too high, swinging in over the top, forcing a slice.

I chopped down on the ball, sending a few "drives" straight up, so that you expected to see Thurman Munsen camping under, mit open.

Other advice was "Take it back slow and reach back, and then swing like I am sweeping the ground.  "

I worked on these things one at a time, first the bucket of water thing, for a couple days and buckets of balls.

Then the hitting down. I would practice by hitting my three wood, trying to sweep the ball off the deck.

I should have worked on the posture thing first, but I didn't, and it contributed to the slice coming and going until I really nailed it.

Your mileage may vary, but it added 20 or more yards to my drive, I am pretty accurate now. While I hit draws during the lessons, I mostly hit slight fades now, with a few draws and the occasional hook. But I am not tweaking my swing until it is really grooved in with this shot shape.