Need help with short game

[Graygar]

Hi All,

I'm new to Sand Trap, don't normally post anything just like to read but looking for some help.

I have played golf since I was about seven but only recently have I been sucked into the game in an major (possibly obsessive) way trying to perfect my game, it's all I think about day and night :) but lately I've started to feel down and hopeless about my game and progression. Don't get me wrong I've never been an amazing player but I am aspiring to get there I had some aims this year which were:

1) Play all year - until recently I only played in the summer

2) Win a competition

3) Get down to 10 Handicap

So I managed to do 1 and 2 but I am stuck on point 3. No matter how much practice i put in I can't seem to get below 17 handicap the consistency just isn't there. But I have found I have two major issues.

1) I just don't get the time to play on the course, having work and a young child it's difficult.

2) Mental side gets in my way when I play.

I can deal with not playing on the course as I often spend a couple of hours on the range 2 - 3 times a week and I hit great shots everyone complements me when they see my swing saying you look like a 5 handicapper and that makes me smile but I know inside I'm not that good. I get to the course and often hit magic shots only to follow up with a duff chip or missed putt. I get to a good range see the flag and just tense up... I went out this weekend and was hitting 270 yard drives the best I've hit, and great follow up mid range irons but no matter how much I try my wedge and putting game leaves me when that pin appears. On a couple of holes four putting, I mean how do you four putt?

Does anyone have any tips for how to get rid of these yips.. I've listened to Dr Bod Rotella and I get what he's saying, picture the shot, shape and speed and hit it.. but in reality I just can't do it.. I'm so scared of hitting or, putting past the hole that I majority of the time end up well short of the pin.

Thanks in advance

[Patch]

Probably 40+/- years ago I had the same problem. I was more afraid of missing shots than I was confident of making those shots. It mattered little how long/short the shot was. Missing it was was my dominant thought because I was trying too hard to not miss. 

It took a person who was smarter than me to tell me I needed to lighten up and just have fun with the game. That since I was much better at playing baseball, that I should approach my golf game in the same mnner. I played baseball in a relaxed, confident manner, why not play golf the same way. This person also informed me that I was also very good in my business dealings because I was confident in a sort of obnoxious kind of way. Again why not approach my golf game in the same way. I took this person's advice and started playing better golf. 

My point is, take some aspect of your life that you are very good at, and apply that same confident attitude to your golf game. Mental fortitude is the only thing  a golfer has against the golf course, and/or par. So when you go golfing next time just have a good time. The bad shots will still be there at first but eventually there will be fewer of them the more your positive attitude starts taking over. 

[collapse]

3 hours ago, Graygar said:

Hi All,

I'm new to Sand Trap, don't normally post anything just like to read but looking for some help.

I have played golf since I was about seven but only recently have I been sucked into the game in an major (possibly obsessive) way trying to perfect my game, it's all I think about day and night :) but lately I've started to feel down and hopeless about my game and progression. Don't get me wrong I've never been an amazing player but I am aspiring to get there I had some aims this year which were:

1) Play all year - until recently I only played in the summer

2) Win a competition

3) Get down to 10 Handicap

So I managed to do 1 and 2 but I am stuck on point 3. No matter how much practice i put in I can't seem to get below 17 handicap the consistency just isn't there. But I have found I have two major issues.

1) I just don't get the time to play on the course, having work and a young child it's difficult.

2) Mental side gets in my way when I play.

I can deal with not playing on the course as I often spend a couple of hours on the range 2 - 3 times a week and I hit great shots everyone complements me when they see my swing saying you look like a 5 handicapper and that makes me smile but I know inside I'm not that good. I get to the course and often hit magic shots only to follow up with a duff chip or missed putt. I get to a good range see the flag and just tense up... I went out this weekend and was hitting 270 yard drives the best I've hit, and great follow up mid range irons but no matter how much I try my wedge and putting game leaves me when that pin appears. On a couple of holes four putting, I mean how do you four putt?

Does anyone have any tips for how to get rid of these yips.. I've listened to Dr Bod Rotella and I get what he's saying, picture the shot, shape and speed and hit it.. but in reality I just can't do it.. I'm so scared of hitting or, putting past the hole that I majority of the time end up well short of the pin.

Thanks in advance

I don't see here when you are practicing the short game and putting.My guess is that you don't have the short game mechanics in good order,meaning fat and thin shots are always lurking.I suspect mechanics is a problem with the putting as well,let's face it,even the pros are messing around with the putting grip mechanics all the time.When practicing the short game,a few successes in a row is not a good enough test,we need many many in a row.

[Mr. Desmond]

I would scare you to state how many years it has taken me, going from Pelz to Utley to Mickelson, to a blend, and now to James Sieckmann on short game technique. TST also has good technique videos.

I have a better understanding of the short game, and recent changes are due to wanting  the ball to flight lower, more accurately and consistently.

Get rid of lag in the short game. Find a rhythm, stay on your front side. No need to move a lot as there is little time to recover in an abbreviated motion.

There are a few constants that are similar in any technique - relaxing, confidence and setup. Don't stand over the ball, stay loose. Standing still takes out any athleticism. Figure out the shot before you get to the ball, set up and go.

Putting - once again, I tried so much and constantly tinker. Now I tinker with setup and width between the feet. I am going wider with the feet - the biomechanic types are going this way, it seems.

One constant is a neutral setup and relaxing. If you stand still over a putt, you are done. I don't even take practice strokes any longer. Figure out the line and speed, get into your setup while always slightly moving your feet until comfortable. Stay loose. I don't even look at the ball any more - I look at a spot 2 inches in front of the ball on my line - once comfy, take a look at the spot for which I am aiming for distance/speed (usually not the hole), set your eyes still, and then go -- be confident and relaxed.

Being relaxed and confident overcomes some flaws. Tell yourself you are the greatest putter ever ... then make it happen. Stay positive. Do not get down on yourself. You will miss putts and some of it won't be you. Stuff happens. Repeat to yourself that you are great.

AimPoint and a fitted putter also helps but get a consistent grip, setup and stroke before the fitting. Find someone with a SAM lab.

Edited December 7, 2015 by Mr. Desmond

[RH31]

Practice putting 10 feet and in. Hone your skill from this distance and you won't worry about having to get it to tap in range because you'll know you can make the one coming back. I practice at home with 2 balls. Separate them 3 feet or whatever distance. Putt one ball into the other. Try to putt it so it catches the other ball square. If you can do that consistently, you can make putts on the course.

Assuming your wedge mechanics aren't all out of whack, stand tall when you chip or pitch. Really focus on where you want to land the ball. Finally, it's OK to hit it to 10 feet. Too many players put too much pressure on their games trying to knock everything stiff.

Putting well from 10feet and closer makes a lot of things manageable.

[Pete]

 

4 hours ago, Graygar said:

1) I just don't get the time to play on the course, having work and a young child it's difficult.

2) Mental side gets in my way when I play.

I think solving issue no 1 will also solve issue no 2.

It sounds obvious. but the more you play, even just by yourself, but holing out every time and recording your score, the more confidence you will gain.

Smashing range balls all day is great fun, and getting in the groove of bombing your driver out the end of the range is impressive for the newcomers to the game to watch. But it isn't teaching you the actual game of golf. Just the swing mechanics. I'm not saying that isn't important but it sounds like you already have the mechanics to get your handicap down. But to overcome the mental side when playing, then you have to get used to playing.

I try to play as many 18 hole rounds of golf, with a single ball, counting every shot just as in a competition, as often as I can. It gets you familiar and comfortable with the game of golf. When you start notching up consecutive 18 hole scores in low 80s/high 70s, doing it on competitions will become less daunting and your handicap will come down.

 

[Graygar]

Thanks for the responses - I have started to practice my putting on the greens a lot lately. before the comp this weekend I was making most inside 10 feet at most two putting. once issue is the practice greens are a lot slower than the real greens. In the summer I end up hitting them miles past which is probably where the hesitance is.

Patch - Yes try and make it fun, but by nature I am very competitive which makes this hard :)

Collapse - we have a practice hole on the range 60 yards with two bunkers around it, again it's not groomed well so much slower than the real thing.

Pete - i think you are right, ranges are great but there is little in the way of risk to practice facing fear.

RH31 - sounds good, I practice at home a lot and find I putt well, but how do you make the speed more realistic, I find the carpet is way too quick?

Mr Desmond - I'd love to be able to relax, I find it takes me a good 5 or 6 holes to feel relaxed. I don't often play with the same person which doesn't help.. Maybe I should stop playing so many comps.. One issue with my club is you need to play a certain amount to be eligible for the good ones..

Such a frustrating game.. but i can't help but love it, even when it's going bad.

[Mr. Desmond]

I will add that James Sieckmann's download/DVDs are only $57. And the TST short game techniques are free - available here. Do both. It's always better to watch-listen to a pro rather than "doing your own thing." I've seen guys on the range with do your own thing -- it's comical and sad - they are trying so hard.

With putting, you've got to get a neutral setup and comfy grip and a technique with which you are comfortable - you do not sound comfy.

[collapse]

Wow Graygar....sorry my friend, but every response has an excuse attached.

Edited December 7, 2015 by collapse

[saevel25]

5 hours ago, Graygar said:

Hi All,

I'm new to Sand Trap, don't normally post anything just like to read but looking for some help

I hope this changes. We are always happy to have new contributors to the forum :) 
 

5 hours ago, Graygar said:

I went out this weekend and was hitting 270 yard drives the best I've hit, and great follow up mid range irons but no matter how much I try my wedge and putting game leaves me when that pin appears. On a couple of holes four putting, I mean how do you four putt?

Does anyone have any tips for how to get rid of these yips.. I've listened to Dr Bod Rotella and I get what he's saying, picture the shot, shape and speed and hit it.. but in reality I just can't do it.. I'm so scared of hitting or, putting past the hole that I majority of the time end up well short of the pin.

Are they the yips? 

If you struggle that much with your short game and putting then practice those areas. They look to be a big time glaring weakness for you. 

There are a lot of good threads on this forum for putting and pitching. 

[Mr. Desmond]

I had the same concern - OP, you mention the dread yips but make no case for it.

Sometimes, golfers think they have the yips when it's nerves/lack of confidence. 

That's the reason I think you need to believe in a technique/method as a base in short game and putting. It will give you confidence and improve your game - a win-win.

[Graygar]

Mr Desmond - Was there a link there I couldn't see, any you are probably correct in saying it's nerves. When you putt what muscles do you feel like you are using, just your shoulders or perhaps core?

Collapse - I get your point I need to be more positive, something my instructor keeps telling me. I guess what I am trying to say is I feel like I need something more like the real conditions.. but if you want them play on the course right!

 

 

[Mr. Desmond]

51 minutes ago, Graygar said:

Mr Desmond - Was there a link there I couldn't see, any you are probably correct in saying it's nerves. When you putt what muscles do you feel like you are using, just your shoulders or perhaps core?

Collapse - I get your point I need to be more positive, something my instructor keeps telling me. I guess what I am trying to say is I feel like I need something more like the real conditions.. but if you want them play on the course right!

 

 

I went to my putter, standing nearby, and my hands start slightly before the core -- the shoulders move, but the movement emanates from the core. The hands starting slightly beforehand gives you a wider, natural arc.

Neutral setup - go to youtube and search Pat O'Brien, Zach Johnson's guru. I took lessons from Pat. While I do not buy the narrow stance, the neutral setup works. Mike Shannon is also a guru - look him up - he offers a good analysis of spine angle and bent arms at address. Also, shoulders and hips tend be open at address - if you close them slightly, they should be square.

Edited December 7, 2015 by Mr. Desmond

[Graygar]

Great thanks, I never know how much to tilt my spine these clips should help a ton.  I'll watch those clips tonight.. Many thanks for your help I really appreciate it :) 

[Mr. Desmond]

8 minutes ago, Graygar said:

Great thanks, I never know how much to tilt my spine these clips should help a ton.  I'll watch those clips tonight.. Many thanks for your help I really appreciate it :) 

When putting, you do not tilt -- shoulders as level as possible and spine is neutral. Check out Pat and Mike.

[iacas]

2 minutes ago, Mr. Desmond said:

When putting, you do not tilt -- shoulders as level as possible and spine is neutral. Check out Pat and Mike.

Ditto when hitting a pitch or a chip. Very little spine tilt. Weight favoring the front foot with short game shots… and a little tiny bit with putting, typically.

[Mr. Desmond]

33 minutes ago, iacas said:

Ditto when hitting a pitch or a chip. Very little spine tilt. Weight favoring the front foot with short game shots… and a little tiny bit with putting, typically.

Exactly!      (thanks for adding that)

Edited December 7, 2015 by Mr. Desmond

[Dave325]

For putting, I understand that the AimPoint system is very good for improving in the putting and green reading area. I may look to do that myself later in the year, but still working on my full swing mechanics.