90 and in struggles

[Lugowskins]

It seems that other than putting the biggest flaw in my game is when I am about 90 yards or closer and I cant take a full a full swing. Chipping is acceptable I'm good enough around the greens but from I'd say from 30-90 yards over half my shots are just awful. I tend to hit fat shots real low worm burners or just completely errant shots that miss my target by 20 yards. I've practiced these a ton but I haven't found anything I feel comfortable with. Choking up can only take off so much distance for me shortening my back swing doesn't agree with me and I tend to have bad mis-hits. Just wondering what other people have done to get comfortable when not able to take a full swing was it just tons of practice or was there some swing key I haven't found. I generally go to youtube for tips like this but after watching a few videos I didn't find anything helpful so I'm coming to you!

[Al B Tross]

Interesting topic as this is one of the exact focus areas for me this year.  A full 60* wedge puts me anywhere from 75yds to 100yds depending on how pure I catch it (yes, a 25yd variance is frustrating but I'm figuring it out). 90yd - 110yds is a "tweener" range with which I struggle as its in between clubs. I can really step on my 60*(which usually doesn't end well) or choke down on my 52* to dial in. 

Whats worked well for me (after a lot of practice) has been choking down on my 52* and playing a feel shot. I find about a 5-yd loss of distance for every inch or so I choke down but again that took a decent amount of trial and error (which still isn't 100% reliable). Like you referenced, I can't seem to control distance with shortening my backswing - almost always ends up with a chunked shot.

If I found myself in this range often, the right move would be adding another wedge to my bag but it doesn't happen often. If I have to lay up, I plan on laying up to <100yds or >120yds. 

Good luck with the solution. Keep at it - it'll come around. 

[Dave2512]

Anyone facing a bunch of sub 100 yard shots is either crazy long or misses greens short due to poor driving and blown approach shots. I'd wager it's the latter.

[disaster]

3 minutes ago, Dave2512 said:

Anyone facing a bunch of sub 100 yard shots is either crazy long or misses greens short due to poor driving and blown approach shots. I'd wager it's the latter.

Well, I guess it depends on the course a lot. On one of my homecourse (par 71, 6400yds), I usually have a PW or shorter on 8-12 (depending on the conditions) holes (I also included a drivable par 4 and a short par 5), and I am by no means a bomber.

 

To the topic: For me it was really helpful, to focus only on a few shortened swings. I usually have a full swing and 2 abbreviated swings with my wedges. I have 4 wedges in the bag, this alone makes up for 12 different lengths (well, not quite as some of them will overlap, but it already gives you quite nice control with just minor adjustments). The swing itself is absolutely the same for all wedges. In my case, I put the weight a little bit more forward and just try to hit the ball cleanly.

 

 

[Lihu]

2 hours ago, Lugowskins said:

It seems that other than putting the biggest flaw in my game is when I am about 90 yards or closer and I cant take a full a full swing. Chipping is acceptable I'm good enough around the greens but from I'd say from 30-90 yards over half my shots are just awful. I tend to hit fat shots real low worm burners or just completely errant shots that miss my target by 20 yards. I've practiced these a ton but I haven't found anything I feel comfortable with. Choking up can only take off so much distance for me shortening my back swing doesn't agree with me and I tend to have bad mis-hits. Just wondering what other people have done to get comfortable when not able to take a full swing was it just tons of practice or was there some swing key I haven't found. I generally go to youtube for tips like this but after watching a few videos I didn't find anything helpful so I'm coming to you!

Welcome to the club. This is a really difficult shot to make accurately because it's a partial shot.

This post pretty much points you to the video that has helped many of us on this site.

 

20 minutes ago, Dave2512 said:

Anyone facing a bunch of sub 100 yard shots is either crazy long or misses greens short due to poor driving and blown approach shots. I'd wager it's the latter.

Not necessarily. . .

 

9 minutes ago, disaster said:

Well, I guess it depends on the course a lot. On one of my homecourse (par 71, 6400yds), I usually have a PW or shorter on 8-12 (depending on the conditions) holes (I also included a drivable par 4 and a short par 5), and I am by no means a bomber.

To the topic: For me it was really helpful, to focus only on a few shortened swings. I usually have a full swing and 2 abbreviated swings with my wedges. I have 4 wedges in the bag, this alone makes up for 12 different lengths (well, not quite as some of them will overlap, but it already gives you quite nice control with just minor adjustments). The swing itself is absolutely the same for all wedges. In my case, I put the weight a little bit more forward and just try to hit the ball cleanly.

Yes, LSW actually dedicates an entire chapter on this topic. . .

 

 

To the OP, get a copy of LSW. Not just a sales plug, because I have nothing to gain from the sale of the book. It'll help you a lot.

[boogielicious]

2 hours ago, Lugowskins said:

It seems that other than putting the biggest flaw in my game is when I am about 90 yards or closer and I cant take a full a full swing. Chipping is acceptable I'm good enough around the greens but from I'd say from 30-90 yards over half my shots are just awful. I tend to hit fat shots real low worm burners or just completely errant shots that miss my target by 20 yards. I've practiced these a ton but I haven't found anything I feel comfortable with. Choking up can only take off so much distance for me shortening my back swing doesn't agree with me and I tend to have bad mis-hits. Just wondering what other people have done to get comfortable when not able to take a full swing was it just tons of practice or was there some swing key I haven't found. I generally go to youtube for tips like this but after watching a few videos I didn't find anything helpful so I'm coming to you!

It may just be how you are approaching the half shots. These shots should be the same as a full swing with the exception of a shorter backswing. It shouldn't be an easier, less speed swing. Check out the thread below.

I practice starting with a 3/4 swing, where my left arm is parallel to the ground. I do a couple of full swing practice swings to get the speed feel. Then the same with the 3/4 backswing. Then I hit. I move onto 1/2 swings after that.

 

[Lugowskins]

29 minutes ago, Dave2512 said:

Anyone facing a bunch of sub 100 yard shots is either crazy long or misses greens short due to poor driving and blown approach shots. I'd wager it's the latter.

My home course is rather short only 5800 yards and my drives carry 240+ most of my approaches are 80 yards or less I've taken to playing a 4 or 5 iron off the tee to get to 120 out which is my comfort zone where I can hit a full PW my most accurate club

8 minutes ago, Lihu said:

Welcome to the club. This is a really difficult shot to make accurately because it's a partial shot.

This post pretty much points you to the video that has helped many of us on this site.

 

Not necessarily. . .

 

Yes, LSW actually dedicates an entire chapter on this topic. . .

 

 

To the OP, get a copy of LSW. Not just a sales plug, because I have nothing to gain from the sale of the book. It'll help you a lot.

I definitely will I'm open to trying anything so thank you!

[Dave2512]

2 minutes ago, Lugowskins said:

My home course is rather short only 5800 yards and my drives carry 240+ most of my approaches are 80 yards or less I've taken to playing a 4 or 5 iron off the tee to get to 120 out which is my comfort zone where I can hit a full PW my most accurate club

Move back a couple sets?

[Lihu]

6 minutes ago, Lugowskins said:

My home course is rather short only 5800 yards and my drives carry 240+ most of my approaches are 80 yards or less I've taken to playing a 4 or 5 iron off the tee to get to 120 out which is my comfort zone where I can hit a full PW my most accurate club

 

3 minutes ago, Dave2512 said:

Move back a couple sets?

I think this is a joke.

You really need to be able to play short approaches like this. Most courses have one or two 270 to 320 yard par 4, and 240+ carry puts you out 260 to 280 enough times to make it a valid concern.

[Lugowskins]

10 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

It may just be how you are approaching the half shots. These shots should be the same as a full swing with the exception of a shorter backswing. It shouldn't be an easier, less speed swing. Check out the thread below.

I practice starting with a 3/4 swing, where my left arm is parallel to the ground. I do a couple of full swing practice swings to get the speed feel. Then the same with the 3/4 backswing. Then I hit. I move onto 1/2 swings after that.

 

I find that when I shorten up my backswing its hard for me to keep a good tempo I guess that could just come with practice. When I try to just slow down my swing I always slow it down too much and come up short so I agree that should be abandoned.

[boogielicious]

Just now, Lugowskins said:

I find that when I shorten up my backswing its hard for me to keep a good tempo I guess that could just come with practice. When I try to just slow down my swing I always slow it down too much and come up short so I agree that should be abandoned.

I think you can get the feel quickly. That is why I start from full and go down. If I start at 1/2, it takes me longer to get the feel going.

[Lugowskins]

14 minutes ago, Lihu said:

 

I think this is a joke.

You really need to be able to play short approaches like this. Most courses have one or two 270 to 320 yard par 4, and 240+ carry puts you out 260 to 280 enough times to make it a valid concern.

I generally wind up about 260 getting to 280+ would take some dry fairways and a lil wind help lol our course only has the whites and the lady/senior tees so no moving back hence me just starting to club down.

 

13 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

I think you can get the feel quickly. That is why I start from full and go down. If I start at 1/2, it takes me longer to get the feel going.

Thanks I'll remember that tonight when I'm practicing

[Jeremie Boop]

28 minutes ago, Dave2512 said:

Move back a couple sets?

Really? With all the push to play forward you advise him to move back instead of giving ways to improve the yardage he's struggling with? As @Lihu mentioned, this is a shot we all need to be able to do in order to score well.

[Dave2512]

30 minutes ago, Lihu said:

 

I think this is a joke.

You really need to be able to play short approaches like this. Most courses have one or two 270 to 320 yard par 4, and 240+ carry puts you out 260 to 280 enough times to make it a valid concern.

Not really, a suggestion thinking maybe he could move back or approach the course a little different to enjoy it more while he works on short game issues. Those longer than a pitch not quite a full shot distances can be tricky. When I have one I laser the pin, the landing area, the trouble I have to carry and rehearse a few practice swings to make sure I get it there.

[Lihu]

4 minutes ago, Dave2512 said:

Not really a suggestion thinking maybe he could move back or approach the course a little different to enjoy it more while he works on short game issues. Those longer than a pitch not quite a full shot distances can be tricky. When I have one I laser the pin, the landing area, the trouble I have to carry and rehearse a few practice swings to make sure I get it there.

Totally agree, it's one of the tough ones, but a bit less tough than the drive he just made to get there.

[dave s]

I don't think you (original poster) mentioned what wedges he carries?  Having the right 'tools' will definitely help you in the mid-range short game.  For example, I have a 45* PW, a 50* gap wedge, 54 SW and 58* is my most lofted wedge.

The 58 is my go-to around the greens and can back if off to about 55-60 yards.  Anything INSIDE that yardage that wouldn't be a pitch-and-run with a less lofted club, is a problem for me.  I will stay OUT of that 55 to 30 yard range at all cost because it's just not a shot I practice a lot and therefore, not real comfortable hitting them.

The best bag upgrade I've made over the past few years was going with 4 wedges.  I have them gapped very well leaving full, smooth easy swings with each from 100-110 (PW) to 70 yards, (58*).  As mentioned, I can shorten the swing with the 58* wedge down to 55-60 yards as well.

Best advice: If you're not comfortable in that 30-90 yard range, get wedges that fit that range for you and practice them a lot!

dave

[Lugowskins]

5 minutes ago, dave s said:

I don't think you (original poster) mentioned what wedges he carries?  Having the right 'tools' will definitely help you in the mid-range short game.  For example, I have a 45* PW, a 50* gap wedge, 54 SW and 58* is my most lofted wedge.

The 58 is my go-to around the greens and can back if off to about 55-60 yards.  Anything INSIDE that yardage that wouldn't be a pitch-and-run with a less lofted club, is a problem for me.  I will stay OUT of that 55 to 30 yard range at all cost because it's just not a shot I practice a lot and therefore, not real comfortable hitting them.

The best bag upgrade I've made over the past few years was going with 4 wedges.  I have them gapped very well leaving full, smooth easy swings with each from 100-110 (PW) to 70 yards, (58*).  As mentioned, I can shorten the swing with the 58* wedge down to 55-60 yards as well.

Best advice: If you're not comfortable in that 30-90 yard range, get wedges that fit that range for you and practice them a lot!

dave

I carry PW, 52, 56 and a 60. I use my 60 essentially anything under 70 yards my 56 is about 95 yards on a full swing my 52 goes 110 and my PW can go up to 130

[Dave2512]

10 minutes ago, Lihu said:

Totally agree, it's one of the tough ones, but a bit less tough than the drive he just made to get there.

One thing I mentally tell myself when I have a short approach like that is to think of it as a short par 3. If we rolled up to a tee and saw a 70 yard par 3 we'd think piece of cake right. It helps to have some conviction. Perception can be a bugger, inventing pressure to get it close. But if I don't have an easy shot that accommodates error I pick a spot, not necessarily the flag and play it to where a 2 putt is nothing more than hitting one good putt and tapping in.