Accuracy tips

[3iron]

My game is improving, but I need some tips or drills on how to fine tune accuracy.  I get pretty close on length, but struggle with missing right or left of target.  Not by large distances, but by 15-20 yards from about 175 yards and out.

Thought some of you might have some magic drills to make me hit the pin.

Thanks for looking and best wishes.

[saevel25]

My game is improving, but I need some tips or drills on how to fine tune accuracy.  I get pretty close on length, but struggle with missing right or left of target.  Not by large distances, but by 15-20 yards from about 175 yards and out.

Thought some of you might have some magic drills to make me hit the pin.

Thanks for looking and best wishes.

To understand accuracy is to understand the ball flight laws and to implement keys 4 and 5, diagonal sweet spot and clubface control.

Basically you need a stable swing path, and then know how to manipulate the clubface angle to produce a consistent shot.

I would start a My Swing thread.

http://thesandtrap.com/f/4180/member-swings

You would get some valuable information on your swing. Maybe there is an issue with your swing that is causing you to miss it right and left. I believe that better players usually have a consistent miss because their swing path is consistent and the club face control can be off from time to time.

[Patch]

I spend a lot of time practicing on my set up to the ball. Stuff like foot, waist, shoulder alignments with regards to my ball aim line. I work on getting my grip correct with regards to my club face. I also keep close tabs on where the ball is in my stance. On my normal shots, I want everything to be the same as I already have some what of a consistent swing. My pre-shot routine helps with all of these swing issues. When I get all of those things right, I am pretty accurate.

My biggest problem with accuracy right now is that sometimes I am not real confident in what I see.

[inthehole]

accuracy is my biggest problem.   The only way I seem to be able to improve is to swing in good TEMPO (ok, a bit slower and under control).     With this in mind the problem comes into play is swinging too slow & "steering" the ball - have to still go at it aggressively, but try and maintain a slightly slower & more focused tempo all the way through the swing.

[3iron]

saevel:  I will work up to a slo mo video, but at this time have no way to get the picture.  Trying to get some help there.

Patch:  That to date is the smartest thing I have done for my swing as well.  I am very fussy about my setup assuming it is responsible for at least the beginning of my swing.  I have seen improvements as a result.  It is those 10 yard misses I would like to improve on.

Inthehole:  Good tempo = good control.  I do rather well controlling my length which leads me to believe tempo is pretty good.  Also contact is very good most of the time.

I'm just looking for some accuracy drills to work on that might be helpful.  Probably would need something to do during the swing.  I will keep practicing and good luck to you guys as well.

Thanks for your replys; go play good golf.

[natureboy]

My game is improving, but I need some tips or drills on how to fine tune accuracy.  I get pretty close on length, but struggle with missing right or left of target.  Not by large distances, but by 15-20 yards from about 175 yards and out.

Thought some of you might have some magic drills to make me hit the pin.

Thanks for looking and best wishes.

2013 PGA average distance to the pin from 175-200 yards was 33.3 feet from the fairway. They do tend to have a more elongated shot dispersion pattern (more long/short vs. right/left) than low amateurs.

Do you hit most of your shots that far off line or only a few?

[3iron]

Natureboy:  I did not receive a notice of your reply, thanks for looking.

I would say my dispersion from 180-200 is about twice the PGA average you noted.  Perhaps that is not too bad all things considering.

I certainly would not mind tightening that up and will keep working on it.

Best wishes

[vangator]

My biggest problem is distance control. I typically hit the ball pretty accurately (ie where I aim) but often I am either short or long by a club. I think my tempo is inconsistent due to lack of play. My key to accuracy is not trying to choke the grip to death. I clean my grips before every round. They are always nice and tacky. A key to punching the ball out between trees is a lighter grip. The ball goes where your swing path goes. So, a fairly light grip and pausing at the top of my swing. When I grip too tight or get a little quick at the top, I tend to pull the ball left a bit or produce a hook. When I'm in a zone with my driver, it's because I'm pause at the top of my swing and swinging firmly (not wildly) through the ball. Plus, don't let your right hand overpower your swing. More problems are caused by the right thumb and index finger than anything in my swing. An interesting experiment for you to try is to swing with your right index finger extended (not wrapped around the grip). You can swing much harder with less right or left. ball movement. In fact, I use it sometimes when I want to fade the ball. I play a draw normally.

[Ernest Jones]

I spend a lot of time practicing on my set up to the ball. Stuff like foot, waist, shoulder alignments with regards to my ball aim line. I work on getting my grip correct with regards to my club face. I also keep close tabs on where the ball is in my stance. On my normal shots, I want everything to be the same as I already have some what of a consistent swing. My pre-shot routine helps with all of these swing issues. When I get all of those things right, I am pretty accurate.

My biggest problem with accuracy right now is that sometimes I am not real confident in what I see.

+1

The more I work at this game the more I realize how much set-up matters, and a good pre-shot routine can really help make sure you get the set-up right every time. That's not to say that there are any absolutes in set-ups, I believe that SnT got it right when they reclassified all the "old" fundamentals as preferences or stylistic aspects of the swing rather than absolutes. Lots of grips, stances and alignments will work, what's important is finding out which of these "styles" work best for your motion and being consistent with them. This game is way hard already, no need to reinvent the wheel every time you step up to the ball.

[saevel25]

+1

The more I work at this game the more I realize how much set-up matters, and a good pre-shot routine can really help make sure you get the set-up right every time. That's not to say that there are any absolutes in set-ups, I believe that SnT got it right when they reclassified all the "old" fundamentals as preferences or stylistic aspects of the swing rather than absolutes. Lots of grips, stances and alignments will work, what's important is finding out which of these "styles" work best for your motion and being consistent with them. This game is way hard already, no need to reinvent the wheel every time you step up to the ball.

Yep, goes with having a stock shot a person hits 90+% of the time.